### Chapter 10: Much Better "Ethan," Fiona said, her voice dripping with sweet insincerity as she gestured toward the lavish gifts that sparkled enticingly, "you must be mistaken. I only chastised my daughter out of momentary anger. It truly meant nothing." Ethan’s cold gaze brushed over her, indifference radiating from him like an invisible shield. He had no desire to indulge in their empty rationalizations. The scene around him felt like a farce, and he was no longer interested in playing a part. In that moment of tension, Sean darted in, gathering the bags with a speed that suggested he sensed the storm that was brewing. He hoisted them away, leaving Ethan to face the whirlwind of emotions swirling in the villa. Without saying another word, Ethan grasped Janet’s hand firmly, leading her out of the Lind family’s villa. It wasn’t until they stepped into the refreshing air outside that he finally released her hand. His expression softened as he turned to her, an inviting warmth replacing the chill that had enveloped him. "Why didn’t you tell me you were visiting your parents?" he asked, searching her eyes for the truth. Janet hesitated, the weight of a secret pressing heavily on her chest. She had intended to ask her adoptive parents for money, and bringing Ethan along could jeopardize everything. "I wasn’t planning on seeing them," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. "I just happened to be passing by. Did you hear everything?" "I caught your mother saying she didn’t have a daughter like you. Did she mention anything else?" Ethan’s brow furrowed slightly, concern mingling with curiosity. Shaking her head, Janet concealed her apprehension. The last thing she wanted was for Ethan to uncover the intricacies of her tangled web of plans. The look in his eyes, however, was unwavering—filled with a strange sense of loyalty that took her by surprise. "How can you defend me after hearing her just say that? What if I deserved it? The Lind family isn’t someone to be trifled with." Ethan studied her, his gaze unwavering. "I didn’t care about what she said," he declared, a quiet conviction in his tone. A laugh escaped Janet, light and genuine, the kind that challenged the heaviness hanging over them. The Lind family had never treated her well; she was used to their barbs and sneers. Yet, today, Fiona and Jocelyn’s sour expressions brought a flicker of joy to her heart. She couldn’t deny the warmth blooming inside her as she realized Ethan cared—truly cared. "Are these really gifts from the Lester family?" she asked, pointing at the bags, her curiosity piqued. Ethan chuckled softly. "No, they’re not. The Lester family has left me in the dust for years now. I just rented these to uphold a certain image for you. I never intended to give them to them at all." The truth slipped out effortlessly, revealing his suspicions about Jocelyn’s true intentions. He feared that after their marriage, she would exploit their connection for personal gain. So, he’d carved out a clear boundary with the truth—he had severed ties with his family. As Sean approached, bearing the weight of the elegant bags, Ethan added with a smirk, "This guy carrying the bags works for a luxury rental shop, by the way." "Hello! It’s a pleasure to meet you," Sean interjected warmly, offering his hand to Janet. He couldn’t help but admire her charm; she was nothing like what he had envisioned, radiating a raw beauty that felt approachable rather than arrogant. "What are you doing shaking hands with him?" Ethan’s glare shifted toward Sean, who quickly retreated his hand, startled by the command in Ethan’s voice. "Come on now," Janet admonished gently, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "He helped carry these heavy bags for us. We should show him some gratitude. It’s quite rare to come across a rental company with such excellent service!" Her dimples appeared as she smiled, leaving Sean momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond to her genuine kindness. Janet quickly tied her long hair into a ponytail and squatted down, keenly inspecting the contents of the bags. "They’re not damaged, are they? What would we owe if anything’s broken?" Sean’s heart warmed at her innocent concern. "Don’t worry about that. You can always return them to our company if anything goes wrong," he assured her, a smile tugging at his lips. Ethan leaned against a nearby lamp post, watching Janet’s animated engagement with the beautiful gifts. He noticed the absence of greed or desire in her eyes when she gazed upon the expensive jewelry; all he saw was genuine appreciation. A sigh escaped him as a new understanding dawned. This "Jocelyn Lind," as the world knew her, was not at all what he had anticipated. Perhaps he had misjudged her.