Chapter 112: Contemplation

When they finally decided to leave, Ethan stood up and adjusted his clothes.

"I’ll do some research too," He said.

Lucas looked at him, surprised. "You don’t have to trouble yourself, Brother Ethan."

"It’s fine. I’ll see what I can find."

Lucas smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

Ethan nodded before leaving the restaurant.

By the time Ethan returned to Eve Refreshments, the shops were still busy. However, the bulk fruit orders had already been handled, leaving him with little to do for the moment.

He found Evelyn sitting behind the counter, checking the day’s records. Cassandra was attending to a customer, while Gilbert had returned to his usual work with Maya in the other shop.

Ethan walked over and sat beside Evelyn.

"How’s business?"

Evelyn looked up with a smile. "Pretty good. We’ve had more customers than yesterday."

"That’s good."

He leaned back in his chair, looking completely relaxed. Evelyn glanced at him before closing the notebook.

"How was your meeting with Lucas?"

"Fine."

"Did something happen?"

Ethan shook his head. "Nothing serious. We just talked."

Evelyn studied his face for a moment but didn’t press him further. Instead, she shifted closer and rested her head against his shoulder.

"Then stay here for a while. You’ve been running around all day."

Ethan smiled and wrapped an arm around her.

"That’s what I was planning to do."

They stayed that way for a while, occasionally chatting about the business and the preparations for Albert’s wedding. Ethan didn’t mention Lucas’s problem or the reward he had received from the system. He wanted to think things through before discussing the matter with anyone.

Eventually, it was time to pick Nora up from school.

Ethan stood and stretched.

"I’ll go get her."

Evelyn nodded. "Drive safely."

"Of course."

He took the car keys and headed outside.

The drive to Nora’s school was uneventful. When he arrived, he parked near the school entrance and waited for the students to come out.

A familiar figure caught his attention.

One of Vincent’s bodyguards had arrived to pick up Simon. The man stood near the entrance, looking around until the boy appeared. Once Simon spotted him, he walked over and left with him.

Ethan smiled faintly.

’Vincent really doesn’t take any chances when it comes to his son.’

He was about to look away when he noticed another familiar face approaching.

’Richard.’

Alexa’s father was dressed casually, though his clothes looked slightly disheveled as usual. He walked toward the school entrance with a tired expression, occasionally glancing at his phone.

Ethan stepped out of the car and greeted him.

"Hello, Richard."

Richard looked up, then nodded.

"Oh... Ethan."

"Here to pick Alexa up?"

"Yes. You too?"

Ethan nodded. "Nora should be coming out soon."

The two men stood near the entrance, waiting for their daughters.

After a brief silence, Ethan casually asked, "By the way, how’s Alexa’s mother? Nora mentioned that she might be outside the country."

Richard’s expression stiffened.

"She’s fine. She’s indeed outside the country."

He gave no further explanation and immediately looked toward the school entrance.

Ethan noticed the change in his demeanor but didn’t pursue the subject.

’So he doesn’t want to talk about her.’

He had only asked out of curiosity, but Richard’s reaction made it clear that there was more to the story than he was willing to share.

Beside him, Richard remained silent.

Ethan didn’t ask anything else, and the two continued waiting. A few minutes later, the school gates opened, and students began streaming out.

Nora appeared among them, carrying her backpack. When she spotted Ethan, her face brightened, and she hurried toward him.

"Dad!"

Ethan smiled and opened his arms.

"How was school?"

"Fine."

She reached him and hugged him briefly before stepping back.

Then she noticed Richard standing nearby.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Richard."

Richard smiled faintly. "Good afternoon, Nora. How are you?"

"I’m fine, thank you."

Before he could say anything else, Alexa appeared behind her and ran toward him.

"Dad!"

Richard immediately crouched to embrace his daughter.

"How was your day?"

"It was fine!"

Alexa then noticed Ethan and smiled.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Ethan."

Ethan nodded. "Good afternoon, Alexa."

The girls exchanged a few words before preparing to leave with their respective fathers.

"See you tomorrow, Nora," Alexa said.

Nora nodded. "See you."

Ethan and Richard exchanged brief farewells before going their separate ways.

On the drive home, Nora began talking almost immediately.

"Dad, today’s classes were so boring. The teacher spent so much time explaining something we already knew, and then she kept talking even after everyone understood."

Ethan glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

"Did you understand everything she taught?"

"Of course."

"Then you shouldn’t have any problems answering questions about it."

Nora sighed. "I know. But she could have explained it faster."

Ethan chuckled.

"Perhaps she was making sure everyone understood."

"Some people still didn’t understand even after she explained it three times."

"Then she probably had a reason to repeat herself."

Nora fell silent for a moment before continuing to complain about the day’s lessons.

Ethan listened occasionally, responding when necessary, but most of his attention remained on the road.

His thoughts eventually returned to Lucas.

’Should I give him the fertility pill?’

He knew how much Lucas loved his wife. He had seen the man’s loyalty and understood that his desire for a child didn’t diminish his commitment to her.

If the pill worked as the system claimed, it could change their lives.

However, Ethan still needed to consider the consequences. He didn’t know whether the pill had any hidden conditions or whether taking it would affect Lucas’s wife in an unexpected way.

’The system wouldn’t give me a reward that harms someone, would it?’ He frowned slightly.

He had trusted the system before, and its rewards had always been beneficial. Still, this was different. He would be giving the pill to someone else, and the decision could affect an entire family.

For now, he would keep the pill safe and investigate what he could.

If everything checked out, he would offer it to Lucas.

Nora’s voice interrupted his thoughts again.

"Dad, are you listening?"

Ethan glanced at her through the mirror.

"Yes. You said your teacher talked too much."

Nora narrowed her eyes. "I’ve been talking about the homework she gave us."

Ethan paused, then he laughed.

"Alright, I’ll listen properly this time."

Nora shook her head, looking unimpressed, before continuing her story.

Ethan smiled as he drove toward home, but his mind remained occupied with the decision he would soon have to make.