CHAPTER 6: CHAPTER 6: HARASSMENT FROM THE YOUNGER UNCLE

When morning came, Ethan Vaughn returned.

His tall, lean physique was clad in black, with prominent black boots. His mid-length, slightly curly hair bore a resemblance to Eugene’s, and his handsome features exuded a roguish charm.

He swung the black duffel bag in his hand and knelt directly before his grandfather’s coffin, bowing his head.

With everyone present, Morgan Nash was finally relieved and eager to hold the burial ceremony.

The Vaughn Family donned mourning attire.

Vivian Miller, being an outsider, insisted on the same treatment as Victoria Sinclair, wanting to wear a mourning scarf for grandfather.

Unable to resist her request, the Vaughn Family agreed.

On the way to the burial, Vivian Miller walked side by side with Eugene Vaughn.

Victoria Sinclair, like an outsider, was isolated at the back, following along with Mrs. Feng and others to the funeral.

Grandfather was cremated and the ashes were buried at the funeral home.

On the second day after the funeral, it poured rain.

Grandmother was brought back from the hospital, losing her appetite and resting in her room.

The atmosphere at home was bleak and silent.

At the rectangular dining table, the Vaughn Family and Vivian Miller sat together for a meal.

In their view, Victoria Sinclair’s status was not presentable, and aside from grandmother, no one cared about her.

They chatted amongst themselves about seemingly lofty topics, always projecting an air of noble identities, displaying a self-important attitude.

Victoria Sinclair had no intention of seeking favor from anyone.

Jenny Vaughn noticed Eugene had not spoken much, so she deliberately chose a topic, "Brother, can I ride your car back to the city?"

Eugene raised his head to look at her, his gaze slightly darkening.

Vivian Miller hurriedly chimed in, "Eugene, I want to ride in your car back to the city too."

Eugene didn’t speak, his throat emitted a low hum, "Hmm."

Across the table, Ethan Vaughn raised an eyebrow, gazing directly at Victoria Sinclair, his eyes openly admiring. He unconsciously licked his lips, giving a roguish smile, "Sister-in-law, why don’t you ride with me? I’ll take you home."

Victoria Sinclair paused her eating, looking at him.

Meeting Victoria Sinclair’s clear, beautiful eyes, Ethan grinned deeper, his gaze heating up, "My motorcycle is not slower than a car, it’s thrilling, comfortable, and exhilarating!"

Eugene placed his bowl and chopsticks down, picked up a tissue to wipe his hands, leaned back, and shot Ethan a cold, penetrating look, enveloping him with an aggressively cold aura.

Ethan was openly flirting with his sister-in-law, disregarding decorum.

Everyone understood his unruly nature and thought he was merely joking with his sister-in-law, paying it no heed.

Although Victoria Sinclair didn’t want to ride with Eugene, she was even less daring to ride Ethan’s motorcycle; she didn’t want to experience a real-life race on the highway, drifting through corners.

"No, thank you, Uncle." Victoria Sinclair replied softly.

Ethan had a playful, teasing gaze, his eyes fixated on Victoria Sinclair’s stunning beauty.

After the meal, Second Aunt was in the kitchen washing dishes.

Not wanting to be a mere backdrop in the living room, Victoria Sinclair took the initiative to help in the kitchen.

Second Aunt, despite her hospitality, had a powerful family background and looked down on Victoria Sinclair, like others, thinking she was beneath the Vaughn Family.

"You handle the rest," Second Aunt said coldly, unwilling to stay with Victoria Sinclair, then left.

Victoria Sinclair wasn’t bothered; she merely wanted a space to herself, avoiding the others who didn’t like her, always sitting awkwardly in the corner.

Victoria cleaned up, washed her hands, and as she turned, a tall figure suddenly blocked her way.

Startled, she stepped back, her back pressed against the stove, heart pounding chaotically, breath disrupted.

Ethan leaned against the counter, bending down to trap her in front of him, his seductive gaze narrowing, whispering lowly, "Sister-in-law, this dirty work will harm your delicate hands, don’t do it again."

Victoria calmed down, anger flaring inside her, her tone firming, "Uncle, please respect yourself, stay away from me."

Ethan raised his eyebrow, smirked, spoke softly, "I can see my brother is indifferent to you, even colder than a stranger; you’re so beautiful, so outstanding, so gentle. Many men fancy you; why do you need to wrong yourself?"

Victoria clenched her fist, her fierce gaze fixed on him, "Please leave."

Ethan, rather than retreating, advanced, his hot breath against her cheek, murmuring hoarsely, "Sister-in-law, I don’t mind your two-year marriage with my brother; why not be with me instead? I’ll treat you a thousand times, a million times better than him, never neglect you, never glance at another woman."

Traditionally minded, Victoria Sinclair found Ethan’s behavior disgusting.

Even if all men were gone, she couldn’t be with her husband’s brother.

"Go away." Victoria Sinclair pushed Ethan’s chest with all her might.

Ethan stumbled back two steps.

Victoria Sinclair hurriedly dodged around him, wanting to escape.

After running a few steps, she stopped suddenly, frozen.

Eugene stood at the door, leaning sideways against the wall, hands in pockets, watching calmly.

Being harassed by Ethan, Victoria Sinclair felt humiliated, furious.

But her husband remained indifferent, watching her being harassed without intervening or stopping it.

How could he be colder than a stranger?

Her heart shattered as if struck by stones, left bleeding painfully, breathless.

Unprecedented despair and disappointment filled her, inexplicable anguish, wanting to cry loudly in solitude.

She lowered her head, her eyes wet, bit her lower lip tightly, brushed past Eugene, striding away.

Leaving the villa, she walked deep into the deserted fields of the village.

——

In the kitchen.

Ethan saw Eugene, yet showed no fear, rather arrogantly raised his eyebrow with an unassailable attitude.

Eugene entered, closed the kitchen door, and locked it behind him.

Seeing this, Ethan felt a chill, his smile fading, a trace of unease crept into his eyes.

Eugene unhurriedly adjusted his cufflinks, walking slowly towards Ethan, the muscular arm he rolled up exuding power from regular training.

In front of Eugene, Ethan seemed frail and thin.

The usually graceful, calm big brother, Ethan never imagined he’d resort to violence.

His voice slightly nervous, "Brother, we are civilized people, let’s talk things over, not use hands, grandfather’s seven days haven’t passed..."

Before he finished speaking, Eugene’s iron fist swept past like a thousand-pound hammer.

A muffled "thud" echoed.

Ethan fell sideways, hitting the refrigerator, hands spread, making the big fridge shake slightly.

In pain, he furrowed his brows, blood seeped from his lips, dizzy, yet before he could react, Eugene grabbed his collar, pulled him back, landing another punch.

Ethan fell to the ground, spitting saliva mixed with blood.

He gasped, supported himself on the floor to get up, eyes fixed on Eugene, shouting angrily through clenched teeth, "If you’re tough, kill me; otherwise, I’m set on Victoria Sinclair."

Eugene’s face darkened, kneeled, dragging Ethan’s collar close, his cold gaze mixed with killing intent, speaking lightly but chillingly, "To covet your sister-in-law, are you tired of living?"

Ethan laughed defiantly, "How hypocritical you are, marrying such a beautiful gentle wife that you won’t touch, yet won’t let anyone else."

Eugene’s iron fist trembled with restraint, suppressing murderous rage, his dark eyes blazing like fire, each word emerged like a cold cave echo, "Ethan, I warn you, harass her again, and don’t blame me for disregarding brotherly sentiments and taking you down."

Upon uttering the threat, Eugene released his collar, stood up, turned to leave.

"If you don’t love her, why occupy her?" Ethan angrily questioned Eugene’s back.