My Amnesic Ex Married My Sister, So I Married His Uncle-Chapter 135: Discipline Your Son Properly

The disdain in his tone, the dismissal in his words—it was like an invisible slap to Yolanda Thorne’s face.

Consider Owen Rhodes’s status. And then consider Ethan Rhodes’s. There was nothing about Ethan that made him worth targeting.

In fact, if Owen truly wanted to go after Ethan, it would take no more than the flick of a finger.

Tate brought Owen Rhodes a glass of water and quickly departed.

Owen took a leisurely sip, a stark contrast to the three tense figures sitting across from him.

He toyed with the glass in his hands. "Evan is young, it’s true, but he’s sharp and a quick learner. Most importantly, he’s responsible and dedicated to his work. This was his first time managing a project like the one with Veridian, yet he got up to speed quickly and handled it well. His colleagues have nothing but high praise for him. If Ethan had properly seized this opportunity, it never would have landed in Evan’s hands."

The implication was clear: he had given Ethan Rhodes the chance, but Ethan himself had failed to seize it.

Owen wasn’t wrong.

When Ethan first took over the project, it was Yolanda Thorne who had called everyone to brag about it.

The tables had turned, and now it was Serena Kane’s turn.

Yolanda Thorne knew she was in the wrong, and a flicker of embarrassment crossed her face.

But she refused to concede and tried to argue her point.

"Owen, if that’s how you’re going to put it, then I have to question your motives! You knew perfectly well that Ethan’s engagement party was just around the corner, yet you sent him to Veridia at such a critical time. How could he possibly manage everything? It’s clear to me you never intended to give Ethan a fair chance from the very beginning!"

Owen Rhodes glanced at Yolanda Thorne’s defiant expression, then at Jonathan Rhodes’s grim face.

He asked impassively, "Do you feel the same way, Jonathan?"

Jonathan Rhodes’s expression was grim.

In truth, they all knew perfectly well what had happened.

When the opportunity was presented to Ethan Rhodes, Owen had told him the choice was his.

And Ethan had chosen to go.

But once he was there, he’d run back for his engagement party without so much as a word to anyone.

And who knew if he had actually arranged things properly in Veridia before he left.

Owen had been displeased, but after Ethan promised to rush back to Veridia the very next day, he hadn’t pressed the issue.

The problem was, Ethan Rhodes hadn’t kept his word.

Ethan himself had handed the opportunity away on a silver platter.

Jonathan Rhodes knew this full well. But now, his family of three was sitting here for the sole purpose of getting Ethan another chance.

Jonathan patted his knees. "Ethan certainly handled the Veridia situation improperly in some respects, but there were extenuating circumstances. Evan just joined Kyros. If you promote him over a single project, what will the employees say? The way I see it, you should give them both a fair chance to compete. Whatever the outcome, may the best man win."

Owen Rhodes didn’t comment, his gaze shifting to Ethan Rhodes.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

Ethan Rhodes glanced at his parents before speaking. "I agree with my father."

Hearing this, Owen Rhodes let out a soft chuckle.

"The company isn’t your home. You can’t just make up the rules as you go."

The moment they heard that, they knew Owen Rhodes had no intention of considering their proposal.

Yolanda Thorne’s face darkened. "Owen, what’s that supposed to mean?"

All eyes fell on him, waiting for an explanation.

Owen Rhodes placed his glass on the coffee table. The glass made a sharp CLINK as it connected with the surface.

"The Veridian project was a level playing field for both of them. One had just woken up, and the other had just graduated; neither had more of a footing than the other. If anything, it was unfair to Evan. Ethan followed you for two years, Jonathan, and had already accumulated some experience. But Ethan Rhodes has no sense of responsibility. A person like that is unfit for any important role."

"Kyros is a massive company now. Even the smallest slip-up at work can be exploited by our rivals."

"When Ethan ran back on his own, it was only thanks to Quinn Lawson’s help that he didn’t blow his cover."

"If anyone had discovered that the person in charge was so irresponsible, the project could have fallen through on the spot."

Owen Rhodes’s words were harsh, and the expressions on Jonathan Rhodes and Yolanda Thorne’s faces instantly soured.

Yet, they knew he wasn’t wrong. Still, they couldn’t accept it, and for a moment, they were at a loss for words.

The living room fell silent. No one spoke, leaving them in an awkward stalemate.

Owen Rhodes sat with them for a short while longer. Seeing that they remained silent, he said, "It’s getting late. You should all head home and get some rest."

But Ethan Rhodes couldn’t stomach the thought of leaving empty-handed.

Evan’s promotion was a bitter pill for Yolanda Thorne to swallow, but it was even worse for him.

Everywhere he went, people addressed him as Mr. Rhodes.

Even though they knew he currently held no real power at Kyros, there was no shortage of people looking to get on his good side.

He had grown up in this circle; he knew exactly what kind of opportunistic sycophants they all were.

He could already picture it: all the people who had been fawning over him, calling him "Mr. Rhodes," would soon flock to Evan Rhodes in a swarm.

Ethan Rhodes couldn’t accept it.

"Uncle, please give me one more chance!"

Owen Rhodes looked up at him, his deep eyes turning grave.

For some reason, Ethan Rhodes detected a flicker of an unusual emotion in them, which made his heart skip a beat.

Owen Rhodes didn’t respond.

Just then, they all heard a set of light, quick footsteps.

Stella Sterling, having finished getting ready for the night, walked over in her loungewear.

Owen Rhodes immediately rose and went to her side. "Why did you come down?" procrastinated

Stella Sterling looked up at him. "Are you not finished talking yet?"

"Almost."

"Since their whole family is here, I have something I’d like to say as well."

Owen Rhodes had a good idea of what she wanted to say.

He stepped aside to let Stella pass.

Having grown accustomed to him holding her hand over the past few days, Stella Sterling naturally took his and walked toward the living room.

She smiled brightly. "Hello, Brother Jonathan, Sister-in-law. Hello, Nephew."

"..."

To this day, Jonathan Rhodes and Yolanda Thorne couldn’t get used to being addressed like that.

The couple stared at Stella Sterling, unsure of what she was up to.

Stella sat down where Owen Rhodes had been sitting. Owen, in turn, perched on the arm of the sofa, one hand draped around her shoulder.

"Brother Jonathan, Sister-in-law, you both know that Owen and I are married, correct? We are a legally wedded couple."

Of course they knew.

They weren’t fools. They quickly guessed the implication behind Stella Sterling’s words, and their gazes immediately shifted to their son.

Ethan Rhodes’s eyes, however, remained locked on Stella Sterling.

He had just seen her take Owen Rhodes’s hand of her own accord.

When they were together, Stella had never been so forward.

Stella Sterling’s entire demeanor was different from before, too.

The old Stella had been beautiful and aloof, like an artifact in a museum display case—stunning to look at, but meant only for admiration, radiating an indescribable lifelessness.

But the Stella before him now was animated and full of life, her features vibrant and captivating.

A fire burned in Ethan Rhodes’s eyes as he stared intently at her.

"I’d also ask that you, Brother Jonathan and Sister-in-law, please keep your son in line and make sure he stops getting any improper ideas. I believe I made myself perfectly clear at my nephew’s engagement party, didn’t I? There are no romantic feelings between us. For Ethan’s sake—and, of course, for the sake of my own reputation—I’m sure you both know what needs to be done. Correct?"