CHAPTER 136: CHAPTER 136: REMINISCENCE (36)

Florence Fuller had a wonderful eighteenth birthday. After the joy subsided, she quickly returned to her routine of school and part-time work.

Attending classes at school, studying in the library, and working part-time at a café.

Busy yet fulfilling.

She needed this kind of state.

Soon, summer vacation arrived, and with fewer customers, the café no longer needed many part-timers. Based on the time of employment, Florence was the last among the part-timers to start working there.

The manager let her and another person go.

Without the part-time job, Florence decided to work with Ethan Harper during the summer.

She wanted to learn from him on how to make big money.

She had no doubt about this man’s charisma and work ability.

Groomed as a family heir from a young age, he graduated with dual degrees at a young age, and even joined his father’s company as a teenager.

Florence wondered what she was doing at that age? Still participating in youth competitions with Evelyn Shaw.

In every aspect, Ethan was impeccable, at least Florence had never seen any flaws.

But growing up under such training, was Ethan truly happy? His childhood...

A magnified handsome face suddenly appeared in front of her, startling Florence and making her clutch her chest as she fell back against the chair.

Ethan tapped his pen on the tablet in front of her: "You haven’t changed your bad habit of daydreaming."

Florence remained silent.

Ethan asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Florence blurted out, "Thinking about you."

Ethan’s brows were brimming with an indulgent smile: "Aren’t I right in front of you?"

Florence sat up and looked at him seriously: "Ethan Harper, you’re twenty-four this year, right?"

Ethan nodded.

"Have you ever liked anyone?" Florence asked calmly on the surface but was actually a bit nervous inside.

"Liked someone?" Ethan walked around the desk to her side, leaned against the desk, and looked down at her: "Never have, never will."

Florence: "..."

"Then your childhood must have been tough." Florence said: "I heard about you from Aunt Monrose."

Ethan: "What did she say?"

"She said you were exceptional at a young age, fluent in six languages since childhood, with an extraordinary IQ, and that you could accomplish anything your father asked."

Ethan chuckled softly.

"But given your appearance and family background," Florence, though not knowing exactly the Harper Family’s status in France, felt it couldn’t be low: "There must be many girls at school who like you."

This man was just too outstanding.

With a handsome face, high quality education and breeding, plus a prominent family background, who wouldn’t be envious?

"Probably none!" Ethan said.

"Ah? None? Impossible!" Florence thought Ethan was trying to deceive her: "It’s normal for an outstanding person to be liked by others."

"It’s true." Ethan looked at her, saying seriously: "I didn’t grow up in a traditional school environment."

"Huh?"

"Since I can remember, tutors came to our home, and I just followed the set study plans, meeting my father’s requirements and expectations, until I got into college, during which I spent very little time at school."

But he also successfully completed the graduation exams and met the required standards.

The requirements set by his father...

Florence gradually frowned: "So... whatever he wanted you to learn, you had to learn?"

"And had to do it perfectly."

The phrase Ethan heard most from his father was that he would be his heir and that any errors or deficiencies were unacceptable in any area.

Yet, because of a car accident, he was declared disabled by doctors, and his biological father unhesitatingly chose to abandon him in favor of appointing a son born out of wedlock as his heir instead.

He didn’t care that Ethan’s accident was purposefully orchestrated.

He only knew that his rightful heir was now of no use to him.

He didn’t want him anymore.

Ethan’s eyes carried a mocking tone: "Perhaps the Ethan Harper you like now was crafted according to his perfectionist requirements."

"Who said I liked you." Florence’s instinctive retort didn’t seem right, seeing Ethan’s expression stiffen, she hurriedly added: "That’s not it!"

Ethan looked at her.

"Ethan Harper is Ethan Harper, and it’s because you are Ethan Harper that I like you. Would I like even if it were another Ethan Harper?"

Ethan contemplated, seemingly analyzing her words.

"In any case!" Florence felt she had nothing left to lose, as she tapped Ethan lightly, "It’s only you. I only acknowledge you."

She felt embarrassed saying it.

But Ethan laughed, his eyes forming crescent moons, simply looking at Florence with a smile.

Florence’s phone suddenly rang.

Avoiding the heat on her face, she checked her phone, and her expression froze instantly.

Seeing her reaction, Ethan’s smile gradually faded: "What’s wrong?"

"I..." Florence’s voice shook: "My mom... my mom is in the hospital again. They say it seems like..."

When she says mom, she certainly isn’t referring to the mother from the Fuller family.

That must be her adoptive mother.

Ethan had heard her talk about her adoptive mother, a very good mother.

Florence was at a loss: "What to do, what to do!"

Tears uncontrollably fell down her face: "Last year she said her condition was stable and she was discharged to recover at home, how come..."

"It’s okay." Ethan held her hand, asking her: "Do you want to go see her?"

Florence nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, yes! I want to get back as soon as possible, I need to..."

"Go pack your things, I’ll get you the nearest ticket. I’ll go with you, okay?"

Florence kept nodding, her hand shaking while holding the phone.

Four hours later, the plane landed at Southtown’s airport, and Florence hurriedly headed to the hospital.

Upon finding out the room, she dashed through the hospital, running into a room full of doctors.

"Mom!" Florence anxiously pushed through the crowd of doctors, desperately wanting to see the person on the bed.

"Miss!" A group of doctors quickly blocked her: "Who are you? You can’t just break into the ward."

"Mom." Ignoring their obstruction, Florence continued trying to see the bed.

"Sorry." Ethan came over, holding Florence back: "Florence, calm down first, you need to explain to the doctors who you are."

"Don’t stop her." A slightly hoarse voice came from the other side of the ward: "She’s... the youngest sister of the family."

Upon hearing that, the doctors finally stepped aside, and Florence saw Charles Shaw, whom she hadn’t seen in three years.

And the mother lying unconscious on the hospital bed.

A face pale and bloodless, eyes closed in deep sleep, the hospital gown looking large on her, Florence saw the needle-studded hand exposed.

Only a layer of skin and bones remained.