Chapter 206


    While the two were having a pleasant chat, Ethan barged in, grinning, "What''s the big secret, you


    guys seem to be having fun."


    Ashley chuckled, "Why on earth would a big guy like you care about girl talk, bro? Were you


    eavesdropping outside the door?"


    "Give me some credit. I wouldn''t be interested in your girly chit-chat," Ethan ruffled Ashley''s hair in


    amusement.


    Ines sighed in relief hearing Ethan''s words.


    A re shot from Ashley''s eyes towards him. As she was about to rise, Ethan gently pressed her


    back into her seat, "Stay, I have queries." Her recent evasion of his calls had not gone unnoticed.


    "Bro, if it''s about love advice you''re after, don''t bother. I''m not spilling anything." Ashley made to


    leave again.


    "Ashley, stay put. If you storm out now, I''ll spill your secrets to everyone at home," Ethan''s tone


    went cold.


    Defeated, Ashley slumped back onto the bed, "Why are you always threatening me, bro? Even your


    own sister isn''t safe from your strictness." She was just harboring a crush and didn''t want her family


    to find out.


    Ethan cut to the chase, "How have things been with Aarontely?"


    "Bro, you know Aaron''s personality. He''s not exactly Mr. Affectionate. We haven''t even talked


    recently," Ashley responded, despondent.


    "Really?" Ethan asked skeptically.


    "Really. If I''m lying, may I never get married." Ashley retorted, growing irritated.


    Ines couldn''t help but tug at Ethan''s arm, "Ethan, you''re always busy with work and worrying about


    me and your unborn child. Now you''re fixated on Ashley too. Take a break, will you?"


    "Izzy," Ethan frowned at Ines, he didn''t like her taking Ashley''s side.


    "I know you mean well, but we can''t control these things," Ines tried to reason.


    Ethan sighed, ncing between the two before huffing, "I didn''t realize you two were so chummy


    now."


    "Bro, I''ve been saying since Izzy came back that I wanted to get closer to her. You all just thought I


    was joking."


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Ethan shot her a re before storming out of the room. Ashley chuckled, "Let''s go, Izzy. He


    probably came to call us down to join everyone. They''re likely about to start a card game."


    Downstairs, Erica, Lauren, and Silvia were already seated, waiting for one more yer.


    "Ashley, did you upset your brother again? He didn''t look too happy," Lauren looked up at her


    daughter, smiling.


    "Why is it always me? Maybe Izzy upset him," Ashley replied, sounding wronged.


    "When has your brother ever been upset at Izzy?" Lauren countered.


    Ashley was at a loss for words, "Whatever, I''m already the ck sheep here. Say what you want."


    Silvia had been silent, her face changing at Lauren''s words.


    "Izzy, Ashley, who wants to y? We''re short one person," Erica interrupted.


    "Let Izzy y. I''m broke," Ashley said.


    Ines wasn''t very good at cards, and without Ethan by her side to guide her, she felt nervous.


    Ashley seemed to know what she was thinking, calling out to Ethan, "Bro, your wife needs your help


    here. Otherwise, Izzy''s going to lose for sure."


    Erica shot Ashley a disapproving look, "Ashley, don''t scream. Last time Izzy was the biggest winner.


    She won most of your money and you''re still helping her."


    At Ashley''s summoning, Ethan, Jacob Meyer, and Trenton Meyer joined the gathering. Phillip,


    following an unspoken ritual, stationed himself behind Silvia.


    Ines was having a bad luck streak, losing three rounds in a row. The biggest winner turned out to be


    Silvia. Ashley shot Phillip a disgruntled look, "Grandpa, are you ying favorites? When you were


    coaching me, I lost horribly. But when it''s Silvia''s turn, she''s winning all the time."


    "You dare to bring up that embarrassing loss? That''s just your bad luck," Phillip grumbled.


    Suddenly, Ashley turned to Silvia, "Silvia, you should take advantage of your good luck today and


    win some for Izzy. They''re about to get married and there are a lot of expensesing up."


    Ines had known about Ashley''s n all along, so when she said this, she watched Silvia''s reaction


    carefully. Silvia''s face stiffened, but it was only for a moment before she regained her usual


    composure.


    "So Izzy and Ethan are getting married, huh? Guess I better seize the opportunity today, or I''ll be in


    a tight spotter," Silvia maintained her usual cheerful expression.


    "Ethan, Izzy, howe we didn''t hear about this from you?" Erica asked.


    Ethan couldn''t help but give Ashley a light knock on the head, his tone somewhat grim, "Why do


    you to spill the beans?"


    "You''re nning a wedding and not telling your family. What were you thinking?" Ashley shot back.


    Ines thought Ashley really had a knack for drama. She hadpletely controlled the conversation.


    If Ethan didn''t rify, Erica and their grandpa would definitely misunderstand him. As expected,


    both Erica and their grandpa gave Ethan disapproving looks. Erica said sternly, "Ethan, what''s going


    on? Didn''t I tell you I''d take care of everything for your wedding with Izzy? You''ve been keeping this


    from us. What are you trying to pull?"