Chapter 9 David’s Birthday
The next morning.
Ethan woke up early. Today was David's birthday.
Although Susan was mean and snobbish, David had still adopted him despite enormous pressure after Ethan's parents died. Ethan always remembered this kindness.
Since it was his birthday, he naturally needed to prepare a proper gift.
Ethan suddenly remembered that Clara's family, the Fosters, not only controlled many industries on the East Coast but also dealt in top luxury watches.
He called Clara directly.
"Good morning, dear Ethan." Clara's lazy and seductive voice came through the phone, still hoarse as if she'd just woken up. "Calling me this early—couldn't sleep last night because you were thinking of me?"
"I need a favor." Ethan ignored her teasing and got straight to the point. "I need a Patek Philippe, men's watch, preferably something understated and classic. It's my uncle's birthday today."
"No problem." Clara agreed readily, not even mentioning the price. "Give me an address. I'll go to the vault myself and pick out the best one, then have it delivered to you right away."
"Thanks, I owe you one."
After thanking her and hanging up, Ethan drove straight to Susan's house.
However, when Ethan pushed open the door, the scene in the living room made his previously calm gaze instantly turn ice-cold.
Sitting on the living room sofa was an uninvited guest who absolutely shouldn't be there—Mason!
Mason's right leg was still in a cast, and he sat in a wheelchair.
Hearing the door open, he turned his head. Seeing Ethan's slightly furrowed brow, his mouth immediately stretched into a smug, scheming grin.
Over the past two days, Mason had figured it all out. Sure, Ethan was as powerful as a monster, but so what?
He was still human and cared about his family!
As long as he used Susan's greedy and status-obsessed nature to control Susan's family, this fierce beast Ethan would be leashed like a dog, ready to be manipulated!
"You ex-con! How dare you show your face here?"
Before Ethan could speak, Susan, sitting next to Mason, jumped up from the sofa and pointed at Ethan's nose, cursing him out.
"Do you know how much trouble you've caused? You just crawled out of that hellhole of a prison and dared to hurt Mason! Are you trying to get our whole family killed?"
Susan's face twisted with a mixture of anger and flattery.
"Mason is being generous and came with expensive gifts to celebrate David's birthday. Look at him, then look at yourself, you useless waste!"
Susan put her hands on her hips, her mean eyes scanning Ethan's empty hands up and down, laughing mockingly. "What? Can't even bring a gift, you ungrateful wretch?"
Mason in his wheelchair let out an exaggerated laugh to play along.
"Susan, don't be too hard on him. A poor ex-con fresh out of prison probably can't afford any decent gift. The fact that he's standing here alive is already God's blessing."
Listening to their shameless mockery, Evelyn, sitting on the other side, turned pale with anger, her whole body trembling.
"Mom! If it weren't for Ethan, I would have already..."
"Shut up! You ungrateful child!"
Susan cut Evelyn off sharply. "What is Mason's status? He's the heir to the Jones family! It's your blessing that he's interested in you! You must have been drunk and hallucinating, manipulated by this bastard Ethan!"
David sat nearby with a worried expression, sighing. He wanted to say something, but seeing Susan's domineering manner, he finally lowered his head helplessly.
Watching this scene, Ethan said nothing, just quietly observed the arrogant Mason in his wheelchair.
Deep in his eyes, a bone-chilling killing intent was quietly boiling. It seemed that crushing his kneecap last time was still too merciful, but now wasn't the right time to act personally.
Ethan expressionlessly reached into his suit pocket, found his phone, and prepared to have Noah handle it.
Just as Ethan was about to press send.
The doorbell interrupted Susan's sharp, bitter cursing.
"Go answer the door! David, don't just stand there like a log!" Susan glared impatiently at her husband, as if taking all her anger out on David.
David sighed, stood up helplessly, and shuffled toward the entrance.
However, when David opened the door, he froze completely, as if under a spell.
Standing outside was a woman so beautiful she took your breath away.
She wore a form-fitting burgundy velvet dress that perfectly outlined her hourglass figure. Around her slender neck was a dazzling diamond necklace.
On her exquisite, elegant face was a flawless, graceful smile.
Even David, an honest and conventional man, could tell at a glance that this woman was definitely someone important.
"David, who is it? If they're at the wrong house, just tell them to get lost..."
Susan complained as she walked over, but when she saw the woman at the door, her unfinished curse stuck in her throat, and her eyes nearly popped out.
Not just Susan—Evelyn sitting on the sofa, and even Ethan's eyes flashed with surprise.
Clara?
Ethan clearly remembered that on the phone, Clara had said she would "have someone deliver it." How was Clara here in person?
"Sorry to disturb you. May I come in?" Clara's voice was pleasant, but her natural aura of authority made the air in the entire living room seem to freeze.
"Oh my God! Of course! Please come in!"
Susan finally snapped out of it. Her face, usually full of meanness, instantly broke into an extremely flattering smile. She even excitedly wiped her hands on her clothes, as if afraid of contaminating the air around this distinguished guest.
As Clara walked into the living room on her long legs, Evelyn's clear eyes immediately became watchful.
She keenly noticed that from the moment this stunningly beautiful socialite entered, her alluring eyes hadn't left Ethan for even a second!
These two definitely had an unusual relationship!
Meanwhile, Mason, sitting in his wheelchair, saw who it was and the arrogance and smugness on his face instantly vanished, replaced by extreme terror, as if he'd seen a ghost.
What the hell! How is it her?