บท 22: Crescent Ridge Awaits
The morning light streamed through the windows with a kind of quiet cheerfulness, pooling golden patches on the breakfast table where Ethan and his family were gathered.
It was the sort of light that could make even the most ordinary of days feel hopeful—though, of course, this was no ordinary day.
Ethan's father, Aaron, sat with his nose buried in the classifieds, as was his habit, even though it wasn't strictly necessary anymore. It was something to do, and he liked the sense of purpose it gave him.
His mother, Elise, moved around the kitchen with her usual brisk efficiency, effortlessly multitasking as if she were some kind of domestic magician. Jacob and Lily, Ethan's younger siblings, were only half-awake, their eyes drooping as they poked lazily at their cereal.
Ethan, however, was wide awake. His mind hummed with plans, the sort of plans that wouldn't let him rest until they were spoken aloud. Today wasn't just another day—it was the day everything would change. Or at least, that was the plan.
He took a deep breath and glanced around the table, his family so ordinary, so rooted in their routines, so utterly unaware of what he was about to say.
He felt a pang of fondness for them at that moment but also a determination to pull them out of the small, safe world they'd settled into.
"Mom. Dad," Ethan said, his voice cutting gently through the quiet. "I need to talk to you." He hesitated, then added, "Actually, I need to talk to all of you."
The effect was immediate. Aaron lowered his paper, Elise paused mid-step with a dish towel in hand, and Jacob and Lily perked up slightly, though their eyes still carried the fog of half-sleep. All four of them turned to Ethan, their curiosity piqued.
"I want you both to leave work today," Ethan said plainly, looking at his parents.
Aaron blinked, frowning slightly. "Leave work? Ethan, what on earth are you—"
But Ethan pressed on before his father could finish. "Actually," he said with a sudden smile, "I think it's time you started thinking about quitting altogether."
For a moment, the room seemed to freeze. Elise stood frozen in the act of drying a dish, Aaron's coffee cup halted midway to his mouth, and Jacob and Lily exchanged wide-eyed glances. Even the sunlight seemed to pause in its cheerful dance across the table.
"What?" Aaron said, at last, leaning forward. His voice was calm but tinged with disbelief. "Take a day off? Quit our jobs? And what's this about Jacob and Lily?"
"Oh, right," Ethan said, glancing at his younger siblings. "You two are going to transfer schools soon."
This time, it was Jacob who broke the silence. "Hold on—you're serious? We're switching schools? Why?" His spoon clattered into his cereal bowl, forgotten.
Lily frowned at Ethan, her worry clear in her voice. "You've been acting so different lately. What's going on, Ethan? Is something wrong?"
"Yeah," Jacob added, his curiosity sharpening into concern. "You told us to be extra careful last week. Are you hiding something? Is someone after us?"
Ethan inhaled deeply, knowing that what he was about to say would sound absurd. But there was no way around it. "I bought a house," he said simply.
The silence that followed was almost comical. Elise's hand fell limply to her side, the dish towel forgotten, while Aaron's mouth opened and closed as if trying to form words. Jacob and Lily stared at Ethan as if waiting for him to burst into laughter and say it was all a joke.
But Ethan wasn't laughing.
"What… what do you mean you bought a house?" Elise finally asked, her voice trembling with disbelief. "You've just started your company. And you haven't even finished that project with your faculty, have you?"
Aaron remained silent, his expression unreadable, but his eyes were full of questions.
"I mean exactly what I said," Ethan replied calmly. Reaching for his phone, he swiped through his photos before holding it up for them to see. "It's in Crescent Ridge Estate—one of the city's most secure and luxurious neighborhoods."
"Crescent Ridge?" Jacob repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. He had heard of the place, of course. Everyone had. It was the kind of neighborhood that belonged in glossy magazines, not in the reality of their lives.
Aaron leaned forward, peering at the pictures on Ethan's phone. The house looked impossibly grand—sleek and modern, with enormous windows that seemed to let the light pour straight through, expansive lawns that seemed more suited to a park than a home, and a sense of quiet opulence that felt almost otherworldly.
"That's… that's one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Novan City," Aaron said slowly, his tone thick with amazement. "Ethan, how on earth did you—?"
"Let's say I worked hard," Ethan replied with a faint smile. "And maybe I got a little lucky. Everything's arranged. We're moving in today."
The morning sunlight lingered warmly on the room as Ethan's family tried to process his words. For a moment, there was nothing but stunned silence until Jacob spoke, his voice trembling between disbelief and hope.
"You're serious?" he asked, though the spark of excitement in his eyes betrayed the doubt in his voice.
Ethan nodded. "I am. And not just about the house. You and Lily are going to Crescent International Academy."
Jacob's jaw dropped, words failing him entirely. Crescent International—just saying the name felt like stepping into another world. With its gleaming facilities, world-class teachers, and an unmatched reputation for sending students to the top universities, it was the sort of place Jacob had only dreamed about.
"Crescent International?" Jacob finally whispered as if afraid to say it too loudly. "You're… you're really getting me into Crescent International?"
Ethan smiled. "It's done," he said simply. "You and Lily are both enrolled. The paperwork's already handled."
That part was true enough—though Ethan knew the credit wasn't entirely his. Charles, ever efficient and resourceful, handled enrollment in record time.
With his connections, what should have been a mountain of red tape had been reduced to little more than a formality.
Ethan had merely told him what he wanted, and Charles had made it happen as if it were the simplest task in the world.
Jacob fell silent, his astonishment rendering him momentarily speechless. Lily, though younger, seemed just as stunned. But as the realization dawned, her face lit up with uncontainable joy.
Aaron cleared his throat, his voice breaking through the moment. "Ethan," he began, his tone cautious but not unkind. "This is… incredible. But decisions like this? You should've talked to us first."
"I know, Dad," Ethan said softly. "But I'm not a kid anymore. I believe my decision will give us all a better life. You and Mom have worked so hard for so long—I want you to have a chance to rest."
Aaron exchanged a glance with Elise, who was still clutching the phone, staring at the pictures of the house with a mix of awe and uncertainty. The weight of Ethan's words seemed to settle over them, heavy but not unwelcome.
"I still don't understand," Aaron said finally, his brow furrowed. "Where's all this money coming from? A house like this… tuition for Crescent International… it doesn't just appear out of nowhere."
Ethan hesitated for the briefest moment, then took a steadying breath. He'd known this question would come. "David Turner," he said, keeping his tone calm and measured. "He's been incredibly impressed with my work. He sees potential in me, and he's been helping to make some of this happen."
Aaron frowned slightly. "Turner? I know he's a big name, but… this seems like a lot, even for him. Why would someone like that go out of their way to do all this for you?"
Ethan smiled faintly, a mix of confidence and humility in his expression. "He values what I bring to the company, Dad. People like him have their ways of making things happen quickly. And honestly, this is just the beginning. You'll see more surprises soon."
Jacob's face lit up again, his earlier doubts melting away. "Come on, Dad," he said eagerly. "We know Ethan—he's not getting involved in anything shady. Let's just enjoy this, yeah?"
His enthusiasm was infectious, though it faltered slightly when Aaron shot him a stern look. Lily giggled softly, coming to her brother's rescue. "He's right, though," she said, her voice warm with conviction. "Ethan's not stupid. He's just… rich now. That's it."
Aaron exhaled deeply, the tension in his shoulders easing. "I suppose you're right," he admitted reluctantly. "Maybe I'm just overthinking it."
Ethan smiled in relief. "Thanks, Dad. And you too, Jacob, Lily."
Aaron turned to Elise, who hadn't said much. "What do you think?" he asked quietly, his tone laced with hesitation.
Elise bit her lip, her gaze still fixed on the pictures of the house. "I don't know," she said at last. "It all feels so sudden."
Sensing her hesitation, Ethan leaned forward, his voice softening. "You don't have to decide right away," he said gently. "Why don't we just try living there for a bit? Bring some clothes, see how it feels. The house is ready for us."
Lily and Jacob, still staring at the photos, exchanged a look of growing excitement. Ethan reached out, ruffling Lily's hair and giving Jacob a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "And hey," he added with a grin, "if you two want to pick out some new clothes, I'm all for it."
"Really?" they exclaimed in unison, their surprise quickly giving way to wide smiles.
"Really," Ethan said, laughing softly. Turning back to his parents, he added, "I've already arranged everything. The movers will come in a few days to handle the essentials. For now, just pack what you need. Once we're there, we'll figure out the rest together."
Unable to contain himself, Jacob blurted out, "When do we get to see the house?"
Ethan's grin widened. "Right now," he said. "The car's on its way. Let's grab what we need."
Jacob and Lily didn't wait to be told twice. They bolted from the table, their laughter trailing behind them as they ran to gather their things. Watching them go, Ethan smiled, then turned back to his parents.
"Mom, Dad," he said gently, "you should get ready too. This is going to be the start of something new for all of us."
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