Chapter 147
Luna White emerged from the kitchen carrying a steaming bowl of noodle soup, four golden fried eggs floating on the surface. She pressed the chopsticks into Ethan White's hand, her voice gentle. "Eat up. Fill your stomach first."
Ethan accepted the bowl, his eyes burning. He knew all too well that since Luna's divorce, the Jackson family must have cut off her food supply. This wheat flour was likely saved for the New Year, yet she was using it to treat him. His sister was treating him like an honored guest.
He said nothing, lowering his head to devour the meal. Between family, formalities were unnecessary. In no time, half the bowl was empty.
"Enough? I kneaded more dough. There's plenty," Luna asked with concern.
Ethan shook his head, standing to ladle two scoops of broth from the kitchen. "I'm full, sis. Just some soup will do." He drained it in one gulp before finally asking about Luna's situation.
When he heard that Paul Jackson had tried to kill his own son and slandered Luna's reputation, Ethan's fists clenched until his knuckles cracked. He itched to storm over there immediately.
"Sis, I'll send money every month from now on. The village doesn’t require ration coupons for grain—we’ll manage." He paused. "Luna’s right. There are plenty of people doing business in the city now. Since you don’t have land here, why not set up a stall there?"
Luna gathered the dishes. "I know, Ethan. Once I sell this batch of pigs, I’ll make plans."
"Where were you two headed earlier?"
"Maya’s getting married today at Uncle Jack’s place. We were going to help," Luna replied.
Ethan turned to Luna. "You were vague on the phone last time. Did Uncle Jack and Grandma Clara mistreat you?"
Luna poured out four years of grievances.
Bang! Ethan kicked a stool across the room. "Jack White, that bastard!" He stormed out, Luna unable to hold him back.
The White residence was decked in red, a large pot simmering in the courtyard, the rich aroma of braised meat filling the air. When Jack saw Ethan barging in, his heart dropped. Why had this troublemaker returned?
"Ethan, perfect timing—" He forced a smile and stepped forward.
Ethan marched straight toward Clara. "You tried to sell my sister?" Clara staggered back in fear.
Jack lunged forward. "Ethan, you—" Before he could finish, Ethan kicked him flying.
"What kind of elder sells his own niece?!" Ethan grabbed the fire poker and, with a sharp twist, snapped the iron rod in two.
Jack swallowed his words. The poker bent like dough in Ethan’s hands, twisting into a knot.
"From today on, our families are done!" Ethan hurled the mangled iron to the ground. "If any of you dare mess with my sister again, I’ll beat you to a pulp!"
The crowd gasped at the deformed metal. This wasn’t a man—it was a raging tiger!
Jack’s face turned ashen. If he’d known this would happen, why had he ever crossed them?