?Chapter 1122:

    “Oh, just shut up.” Emmett swatted at him yfully.

    Kennyughed.

    Seeing Kenny in good spirits, Ethan felt reassured. Still, he checked with the doctor about Kenny’s condition. The doctor confirmed everything was fine, easing his mind.

    After leaving the doctor’s office, Ethan headed out, as he had a meeting with Waldo in the evening.

    Gracie stepped out of the bathroom after her shower and froze when she saw a hamster sauntering across the living room like it owned the ce, pausing to stare at her mid-stride.

    Terrified of rodents, Gracie let out a piercing scream.

    For days, she had noticed hamsters darting around her room, and at night, she could hear them chewing on her furniture. But she hadn’t found the right moment to tell Ethan about it. The timing just never seemed right.

    That night, Gracie climbed into bed, nerves on edge, convinced that there was also a hamster in her bedroom.

    She couldn’t sleep, the faint squeaking sound keeping her on edge.

    When she finally drifted off, she felt something furry brush against her hand. As she instinctively closed her fingers around it, the thing moved.

    Realizing what it was, she jolted awake.

    “Ah!” she shrieked, flinging the hamster across the room.

    Trembling and in tears, she grabbed her phone and called Ethan.

    Ethan returned home past midnight with flushed cheeks from drinking too much alcohol, the smell lingering around him.

    Neville had driven him back and helped him up to his bedroom on the second floor.

    Ethan was in high spirits. “That old fox Waldo is so cunning. He was discussing business with both the Harper family and the Wagner family, but in the end, he chose us.”

    After easing Ethan onto the sofa in the room, Neville replied, “Yeah. We’re the strongest option. Waldo was only holding out for the best deal.”

    A soft voice broke the moment as Elsa appeared in her pajamas, a look of disapproval crossing her face as she took in her son’s state. “Neville, thank you for bringing Ethan home. I’ll handle things from here. You should go back and rest.”

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    Without hesitation, Neville nodded. “Mrs. Mitchell, I’ll be on my way.” Then, he left.

    Rubbing his aching head, Ethan tried to reassure Elsa, saying, “Mom, I’m alright. Just need a shower and some sleep. Don’t worry about me.”

    Worry flickered in Elsa’s eyes as she looked at him. “You don’t have to push yourself so hard. You do notck money now. Drinking like this every night isn’t worth it; you’re going to ruin your health.”

    Not wanting to hear Elsa nagging, Ethan took off his jacket, put his phone on the sofa, and went to take a shower.

    Left alone, Elsa could only sigh, resignation softening her features.

    As she turned to leave, Ethan’s phone started ringing.

    “Who would call at this hour?” She nced at the screen and saw it was Gracie. “Gracie? What could she want at this hour?” Worried it might be urgent, she answered the call.

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