Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines-Chapter 51: Arrival of the Marclaires and Carters

"Where the f*ck are you, Ethan?!"

Ethan flinched as the loud voice blasted through the phone speaker. He pulled the phone slightly away from his ear and sighed.

"Mom, calm down—"

"Why the f*ck should I be calm?!" she snapped back immediately. "You said you were going on a trip for two days! TWO! Now it’s been FIVE! Who’s going to study for your exam? Your lazy-ass father?!"

A second voice popped up in the background, weak and defensive.

"Hey, don’t drag me into this—"

"Shut up!"

"...Yes, ma’am."

Ethan rubbed his temple, holding back a laugh. "Mom, really, it’s not that serious—"

"It is that serious! I told you no! I told you exams are near! You’re wandering around like some damn young master!"

Ethan leaned back on the couch in the Hayes guest room, smiling faintly.

His mother’s scolding was intense,but it was comforting. In his previous life, he had never felt this. A warm home, an angry mom who still cared, a goofy dad caught between their arguments.

Now that he had it, It felt like a complete life..

"Mom," Ethan said softly. "Don’t fight with Dad, okay? I’ll come back in a week. I promise. My exams won’t be affected at all."

There was a pause on the other end.

"...You better promise that," she finally muttered. "Or else you’ll face the wrath of my scandals."

Ethan blinked. "Wait, your what?"

"You heard me."

He gulped. "Y-Yes, ma’am. Got it."

Click.

The call ended. Ethan exhaled and stared at the ceiling, smiling to himself.

"That’s the first time I felt actual fear in this life..."

A laugh came from the doorway.

Turning his head, Ethan spotted Natalie standing there with her arms folded, clearly having heard everything. Her smile was wide with mischief.

"Wow, You actually looked scared. What happened?"

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Laugh all you want. The wrath of my mom is deadlier than anything."

Natalie stepped into the room, grinning. "Oh! Poor boy nearly cried.I should have recorded it."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Looks like my spank didn’t work,Should I try again? Maybe double the strength this time?"

Her cheeks flushed. "You wouldn’t dare—"

He stood up slowly, cracking his neck, eyes glinting.

"Stop!" she shouted, pointing a finger at him like a warning flare.

He laughed and held his hands up in surrender. "Fine, fine. No spanking today."

Natalie smirked."Come on," she said, turning around and walking off. "I have a surprise for you downstairs."

Ethan followed, curious.

"Is it a punch in the face with a ribbon on it?"

"You’ll see."

As Ethan and Natalie walked downstairs, the moment his foot touched the last step, he froze.

In the lounge stood a few very familiar faces.

Rhea Marclaire. Dressed in a soft lavender dress, looking calm and graceful.

Beside her stood her mother, Julia Marclaire,elegant, with subtle makeup and a graceful posture.

Her father, Augustine Marclaire, stood like a proper gentleman in a navy suit, tall and composed.

Next to them, two elders.

Her grandmother,Margaret Marclaire. Short, with snow-white hair tied in a bun, dressed in a cream shawl with emerald jewelry that matched her watchful gaze.

Her grandfather,Walter Marclaire. Tall, stiff-backed, with a cane in one hand and an expression that carried authority even in silence.

And next to them... Jasmine Carter.

Standing with a confident smile and casual poise.

Her mother, Claire Carter,fashionable and modern, in a smart red blazer with short hair.

Her father, Nolan Carter,easygoing-looking, with a faint smile, his hand in his pocket.

And behind them, Chairman Carter himself. Jasmine’s grandfather. The old man stood silently with both hands behind his back, eyes sharp as ever beneath his silver brows.

Ethan blinked. "What... are they all doing here?"

Alistair, who had just walked in from the side hall, smiled. "Ethan, come. Let me introduce you properly."

Before Ethan could speak, Jasmine stepped forward.

"Don’t worry, Grandpa Alistair," she said brightly, looping her arm around Ethan’s. "We’re all very close with him already, aren’t we?"

She glanced playfully at Rhea.

Natalie raised an eyebrow. "How do you two know each other?"

Rhea answered politely, "We go to the same university, Sister Natalie."

"Ohh..." Natalie crossed her arms, eyeing them both.

Ethan cleared his throat. "Right. But what are you both doing here, exactly?" freeweɓnovel~cѳm

Jasmine released him and answered casually, "We’re here for the Hayes family party. Grandpa Alistair invited our families."

All the parents and elders began greeting each other with warm words, exchanging updates, and laughing softly. Walter Marclaire and Chairman Carter even shared a handshake that hinted at decades of friendship.

"Good to see both of you," Alistair said, nodding toward the two old men. "Walter, Carter. It’s been a while."

Rhea turned to Ethan and noticed faint bruises around his neck and arm. "Ethan... you’re injured again?"

Before he could reply, Jasmine sighed exaggeratedly. "Seriously? How many times are you gonna get injured? Do you collect injuries like achievements now? Besides , what are you doing here?"

Ethan shrugged. "I’m also a special guest here."

Rhea and Jasmine both turned to Natalie with raised eyebrows.

Natalie glanced at Ethan, then nodded. "Yeah. It’s a long story, but... he’s our special guest now."

Natalie started explaining everything that happened.

Rhea’s expression softened. "I’m glad you’re alright."

Jasmine rolled her eyes. "He’s got more lives than a cat. Nothing kills this idiot."

A small figure appeared at the side, blinking at the crowd.

Mina.

She rubbed her eyes sleepily, then perked up.

Rhea and Jasmine immediately rushed to her. "Oh my god, Mina! You got even cuter!" Jasmine said, pinching her cheek.

Rhea joined in, gently squeezing the other cheek. "You’re too adorable!"

"Stopppp," Mina squeaked, waving her arms. Then she looked at Ethan, eyes wide.

"Big brother... you already have my big sister Natalie... and now these two pretty big sisters too?"

Her small face scrunched up.

"...Are you collecting big sisters like a harem?"

The entire room went silent for a second.

Then laughter erupted.

Clarissa nearly choked on her tea. Damian turned away to hide a smirk. Alistair looked away, pretending to be focused on a vase. Jasmine snorted. Rhea looked away, biting her lip to keep from laughing. Natalie just covered her face.

Ethan coughed. "Mina... don’t say things like that."

Mina blinked innocently. "But that’s what it looks like..."

He sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"...This girl’s too honest."

The sourc𝗲 of this content is fre(e)novelkiss