Chapter 1732:


    “When have I ever listened to you?” Ethan retorted.


    Watching Elsa work herself into a frenzy again, he thought, not for the first time, that life was simpler when his mother stayed busy. Whenever she had free time, she inevitably found something to nag him about. But she was almost sixty now, not as energetic as she once had been, and he hated watching her exhaust herself over nothing.


    “Do you want to drive me insane?” Elsa exploded. She had no issue with Ethan giving gifts to others, but the mere thought of anything going to Emmett and Shari was enough to send her over the edge. “You have seventy-two hours to reim that property. Fail, and I’ll cut ties with youpletely. I won’t consider you my son anymore!”


    Ethan remained unfazed, letting her words wash over him. In every dispute, Elsa resorted to the same threat of severing their rtionship—a repetitive ploy that had long since lost any weight with him. “Fine by me,” he said, continuing his meal withplete nonchnce. He let his mind drift to the uing school term, when Elsa would resume her teaching post at Brindleton Girls’ Academy and, mercifully, cease her constant interference.


    His indifference only intensified her fury. She mmed her hand on the table. “Tell me right now—where do your father and Shari live? I’ll go over there myself and take back that house. How dare they ept anything from my son!”


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    Ethan said nothing, focusing solely on his food.


    Enraged beyond measure, Elsa snatched his fork and hurled it across the room. “Will you answer me or not?”


    ustomed to her outbursts, Ethan rose silently from his chair. He had already finished eating. Without a word, he headed upstairs for a bath.


    Elsa followed him, but he shut the bedroom door in her face before she could reach it. She pounded on it furiously and hurled insults from the corridor, but her efforts proved futile. After lingering for an extended period with no response from inside, she finally relented and retreated downstairs, grumbling under her breath, “You think I can’t find out without you telling me?”


    She thought of Neville. He apanied Ethan constantly and would certainly know where Emmett and Shari lived.


    Back in the dining room, she sank into her chair and stared listlessly at the half-eaten dishes on the table. She dialed Neville’s number and adopted a warm, cordial tone. “Neville, have you eaten yet?”


    Neville had only just arrived home after dropping Ethan off. The moment he heard Elsa’s voice, he sensed the call carried an ulterior motive. He replied politely, “I’ve only just got in. My mother is preparing dinner. What can I help you with?”


    Elsa dispensed with pleasantries immediately. “Ethan recently gave his father a house. I need the exact address.”


    Neville was well aware of the divorce between Elsa and Emmett. And despite Elsa’s public image as a beloved figure, he knew all too well how vtile she could be in private. He also knew about Emmett’s new marriage. Her inquiry signaled nothing good.


    “Is there something you need from Mr. Mitchell?” he offered carefully. “I could handle it on your behalf.”


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