Chapter 99: Nora’s Friend

Ethan parked outside the school and removed his helmet just in time to see the kids pouring out from the building. His gaze immediately locked on Nora who was coming outside with another young girl around her age.

A smile appeared on his face, and he waited until she came out of the gate. Her eyes searched for him, and she quickly found him.

"Dad!"

Smiling, she ran up to him and hugged him. Ethan patted her head and asked, "How was school today?"

She beamed. "It was nice! Very nice."

Turning to her friend who stood a few meters away, she said, "Dad, meet Alexa. She’s very quiet, but she knows how to draw!"

The young, blonde girl smiled faintly at Ethan and lowered her head.

"Hello, sir."

Ethan smiled and waved at her. "Hello, Alexa. Did you enjoy your day in school today?"

She nodded meekly. "...Yes."

Ethan smiled and looked around. There was no sign of anyone coming for her. The other kids were already entering their parents’ car or being taken away by their parents along the sidewalk.

"Who is coming for you? Mom or Dad?"

Alexa lowered her head again. "...Dad."

Ethan hummed and looked again. He finally spotted a skinny man running in their direction while wearing clothes that looked shabby.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say anything.

The man approached them and smiled at his daughter. "See? I arrived early."

Alexa smiled a little, moving to hug him.

The man smiled, then turned to Ethan and Nora. His gaze lingered on Nora for a moment before he turned back to his daughter with a smile.

"Oh hoh~ You made a friend today? That’s nice."

Alexa smiled with a faint blush on her cheeks. "That’s Nora, and her dad."

Ethan and the man exchanged glances, then shook hands.

"Nice to meet you, I’m Richard."

"Same. The name’s Ethan."

Richard turned back to his daughter. "Alright, let’s get back home. I prepared something for you."

Alexa nodded and waved at Ethan and Nora. "Bye."

The white-haired girl waved back at her and watched them go. She then got onto Ethan’s bike, grinning.

"Let’s go! Let’s go!"

Ethan smiled and sat behind her, letting her hold the steering with him.

"Wear your helmet."

She complied and put on the protective gear, eager to experience the ride. Perhaps it was simply in her blood, but just like her mother, she loved a thrilling ride on a bike.

The ride didn’t last long though, as they quickly arrived at Evelyn’s shop. Nora got off the bike and rushed inside to hug her mother.

Ethan parked the bike, turned off the engine, then pocketed the keys before entering the shop.

Evelyn was busy catching up with her daughter, so he turned to Cassandra.

"How has your brother been? I haven’t heard from him in a while."

Cassandra smiled stiffly. "He’s been... busy. He’s hunting down my sister-in-law’s family, wondering why they abandoned her and her child."

"Oh," Ethan blinked. "That makes sense."

Cassandra stared at him in disbelief. "You support him? He seems like he really wants to kill them."

Ethan shrugged. "Trust me, I’ve once destroyed an influential family and driven them to debt because they neglected their daughter and used her politically until she died."

Cassandra fell silent. "That’s... sad."

Ethan nodded with a faint smile. "I know. I cried about it."

With that, he turned and went to meet his family, leaving Cassandra wondering who that woman was.

.........

To celebrate Nora’s resumption, Ethan decided to prepare special dinner for the little girl. He visited the market alone, buying the ingredients needed before heading back home with them after they closed the shop.

Evelyn wanted to assist him, but he refused. After all, this was his own special treat. So, she could only sulk and watch until he was done preparing it.

As expected, Nora enjoyed the meal. Even Evelyn began to wonder how a cup of plain water would taste if it was prepared by Ethan.

’I’m sure it’ll be enjoyable.’

With Nora resuming school now, they only watched TV for half an hour before going to sleep. The young girl had completed all her assignments, and she didn’t even need Ethan or Evelyn’s help.

The next morning, Evelyn took revenge by refusing Ethan’s help with breakfast. She claimed it was a special treat for Nora, and indeed made it one.

The little girl ate a small portion in the morning, then had Evelyn package the rest for her as lunch. With everyone ready, they set out again.

This time, Ethan dropped Evelyn at the shop before taking Nora to school again. Knowing the white-haired woman, she would be reluctant to part with her daughter.

So, Ethan handled it alone.

He watched her enter the school gates with the other students before turning around to get back on his bike.

Coincidentally, he saw Thalia dropping her son from a luxurious black car.

He waved and said, "Hello, Thalia."

She immediately turned to him, a smile on her face.

"Oh, Ethan! How are you doing?"

He nodded. "I’m good. What about you?"

"I’m good too." She smiled. "Just dropping Bryan off by myself today. I won’t be able to come back until the weekend to check on him."

Ethan frowned. "Weekend? There’s no hostel, you know? Who is he staying with?"

Thalia smiled and waved her hand. "Ahh, I know about that. We rented a house in the area and had him stay there with a nanny that’ll take care of him every day until I’m on leave and can stay for a few weeks."

"Oh, I see..." Ethan nodded. "Alright, see you later. By the way, the group you added me to is dead. No messages since I joined."

Thalia laughed awkwardly. "You see... those guys are probably busy with their life. They’re adults too. Anyway, I’ll send a message today and see if anyone will respond. Don’t worry, they’re all pretty active when there’s something to talk about."

Ethan nodded and got on his bike.

"Adios. See you later."

Thalia nodded with a smile and watched him go before entering her car and driving away too.