Reunion
1767 Words
"Yes, it's good to be back!"
Ethan Turner, usually expressionless, also showed a touch of tenderness as he enveloped Sophia in a hug.
Releasing her, Ethan turned to Alex, who was watching quietly, and ruffled his hair without any reserve. "Stinky boy, you've grown taller. Why didn't you run over to greet your uncle? Don't you miss me?"
"I do miss you, but I'm a man, and I can't act spoiled like the beauties, it's too childish!" Alex replied earnestly, though his voice was still youthful.
"Heh... Stinky boy, you've got spirit!" Ethan laughed out loud upon hearing Alex's words. Lifting Alex into the air, he spun him around several times, causing Alex's usually cool demeanor to c***k into laughter.
"Brother, put him down, don't make Alex dizzy." Sophia, full of smiles, quickly grabbed her camera to capture this long-missed scene.
Noticing the icy expression, inherited from an unknown source, on Alex's face, Ethan's eyes flickered with concern. "There's no need to be so grown-up all the time, kid. Play as much as you like; being a kid is not about being sullen."
Alex didn't respond immediately, glancing at Sophia and Lily before turning back to Ethan with a cheerful smile. "Okay, Uncle, you're the best!"
"Good! Let's go home together!" Ethan said, taking one child by each hand.
In the car, Sophia held Lily in her arms, her gaze drifting outside the window, watching the scenery slowly passing by.
Hilltown City, Sophia Turner was back! It felt like a vicious cycle, unable to escape this place.
"Brother, are we going straight to the hospital?"
Sophia eyed Ethan, who was focused on driving. He seemed thinner than before, with faint dark circles under his eyes, evidently more worn out.
Knowing the past five years had been tough on Ethan, Sophia remained silent. She knew he had shouldered all the burdens to prevent her from getting overwhelmed, hiding every trouble and hardship from her.
Ethan, with a physique not particularly robust, had supported her entire world, allowing her to catch her breath these past five years. Sophia felt a deep gratitude and heartache but chose to show her appreciation by becoming stronger, to better assist her brother.
"No need, Mom is with Dad. Let's go home and rest first. The kids need to adjust to the time difference, and Dad hasn't woken up yet. There's no rush," Ethan replied calmly.
Sophia nodded, not insisting further.
...
At the 28th floor of Scott Enterprises' CEO office.
"CEO, this season's clothing line from Turner's isn't designed by their in-house designers but by Amanda, the chief designer of the American Vogue International Group," Daniel, Nathan Scott's chief secretary, reported efficiently. He had gathered clear information within just a few days.
Turner's had always been Scott Enterprises' biggest competitor in Hilltown City. Five years ago, Turner's faced a major crisis when the head of the company, Sophia's father, was forced to jump off a building. Luckily, he got caught on an exposed awning, saving his life but leaving him comatose and an amputee.
While Turner's was expected to collapse, it miraculously revived within five years.
Nathan's expression remained unchanged. Daniel couldn't guess what he was thinking or why he had ordered an investigation into Turner's. Given Turner's current strength, although notable in the industry, it was far from Scott Enterprises, especially since fashion wasn't their mainstay. Nathan had never shown much interest before.
"Why would the Vogue International Group collaborate with Turner's?" Nathan asked in a deep voice.
"It's said that the Vogue International Group is planning to enter the Chinese market, starting in Hilltown City. Perhaps they aim to leverage Turner's clothing line to boost their presence," Daniel explained, having done his homework thoroughly.
"Really? Are you sure?" Nathan seemed skeptical. He knew Ethan was like him in many ways and doubted Ethan would willingly be a stepping stone for others.
"Confirmed. Amanda recently arrived in Hilltown City to prepare for the establishment of Vogue International Group‘s China company. They might consider a long-term partnership with Turner's," Daniel reported.
"Amanda? The Chinese-American designer who has risen to fame in recent years, winning the World Fashion Design Award for three consecutive years?"
Nathan tapped the desk rhythmically with his fingers, eyes narrowed in thought.
"Yes," Daniel affirmed.
"Alright, I understand. Investigate Amanda's background and her current hotel, especially her preferences," Nathan commanded, leaning back in his office chair.
"CEO, are you planning to..." Daniel was puzzled about why Nathan wanted details on Amanda.
"If Vogue International Group is powerful and aims to break into China, why can't we use them to access the international market? Compared to Turner's, shouldn't Scott Enterprises be a better partner?" Nathan said confidently. In his mind, with Scott Enterprises' background and resources, they should be the first or only choice for the BUT Group in Hilltown City.
However, Nathan might have overestimated himself this time.
In a high-end residential complex, Elms Garden...
Lily and Alex, looking at the new decor, exchanged glances, both puzzled.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Lily asked Ethan, "Uncle, why aren't we staying at the old house?"
She had heard many stories from her mother about her childhood at the old house and had been eager to see it. But this place, with its brand-new furnishings, clearly wasn't it.
Ethan's eyes flickered, and he replied with a gentle smile, "We're not staying in the old house because this place is closer to your school and your mom's company. It's more convenient."
Ethan was usually reserved, but he always had patience for these two kids. Perhaps it was the bond of blood.
Seeing Ethan's fleeting expression and the kids' curious glances, Sophia suggested, "Why don't you check out your rooms to see if you like them? Let Uncle know if you need anything."
"Yay!" Lily exclaimed excitedly, dragging Alex along to explore the house.
Once the children were in the other room, Sophia sat down with Ethan.
"Brother, haven't we bought back the old house yet?" Sophia, always observant, had noticed something was off in Ethan's expression earlier.
"Yeah, it might take some more time, but don't worry, I'll handle it," Ethan reassured her with a smile, touching her head.
In reality, Ethan wasn't entirely truthful. After the old house was auctioned off, someone had bought it for a high price. Despite his efforts, he couldn't find out who the buyer was. Even when he offered double the price, the mysterious owner refused to sell.
"Okay!" Sophia accepted his assurance without doubt, smiling in response.
Then she thought of her father's condition and looked at Ethan worriedly.
"Brother, how is Dad doing?"
Ethan's smile faded, his eyes clouding with worry. "The doctors say having Mom by Dad's side is helping. He's showing signs of waking up."
"Really? That's great! I've always believed Dad wouldn't commit suicide. If he wakes up, we'll finally know what really happened!" Sophia's face lit up with hope.
"Yeah. I've found some clues about what happened five years ago. Though I still don't know why Dad jumped, I've uncovered some leads regarding the crisis at Turner's..." Ethan looked at Sophia with a heavy gaze, torn about whether to reveal the truth, fearing it might be too harsh for her.
"What did you find? Can I help, brother?" Sophia noticed Ethan's hesitation and pressed on anxiously.
Five years ago, a woman wearing Turner's clothing died of poisoning. The incident caused an uproar in Hilltown City, and media coverage exaggerated claims of toxic chemicals in Turner's clothing. Turner's stocks plummeted, and the company was ordered to cease operations for investigation, throwing it into chaos.
Sophia's father, always wanting to shield his family from worry, never showed his stress at home. Her mother, Su Ruo, was his precious wife, uninvolved in business matters, caring for the family and her passion for gardening.
Sophia, preoccupied with Nathan, was oblivious to Turner's troubles. The pressure had all fallen on her father.
Remorse filled Sophia every time she thought about it. She felt she deserved to die for being so blind to her father's struggles, all for a man who didn't love her and was unfaithful in their marriage.
Like her father, Ethan kept everything to himself, not wanting to burden his family. But Sophia didn't want him to bear it all alone; she wanted to share the load.
"Brother, I'm part of this family too. Don't hide things from me. I've learned a lot in the past five years with Jason. I want to contribute to our family."
Tears welled up in Sophia's eyes as she spoke, falling onto Ethan's hand, warming it.
"Ethan, you have me...” Ethan was about to console her but stopped, considering the truth he had uncovered.
Sophia cut him off firmly. "If you keep hiding things, I'll ask Jason. I'm sure it won't take him long to find out."
Realizing Sophia was determined to know, Ethan decided to tell her, despite his concerns.
"Alright, but you must promise not to act rashly!"
"Okay!" Sophia agreed without hesitation.
"The truth is... five years ago, Turner's crisis... it was related to..." Ethan observed Sophia carefully before continuing with a heavy tone. "It was related to Scott Enterprises."
"What? Scott... Scott Enterprises?" Sophia was shocked, disbelief filling her eyes.
"Yes. I found out that the woman who died from wearing Turner's clothing had contact with someone from Scott Enterprises a week before the incident. Her husband's account suddenly had an extra 500,000 dollar after her death. The journalists who reported the news also had contact with Scott Enterprises..."
Ethan decided to tell her everything, seeing her disbelief. If the suspicions were true, then Scott Enterprises was their enemy, and Nathan Scott was the architect of their family's misfortune. Ethan thought it best to prepare Sophia for the harsh reality to avoid further pain.
"Despicable! How could Nathan do this!" Sophia's heart, already wounded by Nathan's infidelity, was now shattered, realizing that Scott Enterprises had orchestrated Turner's downfall.
Thinking of her comatose and amputated father, Sophia was filled with agony and shame. Her father had endured so much pressure because of her blind infatuation with Nathan.
Was it all for revenge? Had Nathan retaliated because her father forced him into marriage?
As the possibility dawned on her, tears streamed down her face again.
Suddenly, Isabella's words echoed in her mind: "You think your father can help you this time? Rest assured, he won't be able to help you!"
Now it made sense. That's why Isabella was so sure Turner's was in trouble – she knew because it was all Nathan's scheme!
- Writer
