**Chapter 22: House Hunting** Ethan averted his gaze, his fingers fidgeting with the keys as he struggled to find the right words. "I rented this car for you. It’s your first day at work, and I wanted to pick you up in style." Janet looked at him, taken aback by the extravagant gesture, her heart sinking at the thought of the expense. "Renting a luxury car, even just for a day, must have cost a fortune. Ethan, I appreciate your kindness, but truly, you don’t need to do this for me. We have to face reality and live our lives as they are." Her voice trembled slightly, reflecting the tension that weighed heavily on her heart. Deep down, she wasn’t the biological daughter of the Lind family—she was just a simple girl molded by the harshness of poverty. The situation felt painfully awkward. Each moment stretched into an eternity as she considered the relentless hours she had spent scraping together funds to cover Hannah's medical bills and meet her daily needs. Even though Ethan wasn’t directly spending her money, it cut her deeply to watch him squander it on fleeting luxuries. Yet, after pausing to reflect, she realized it would be difficult for Ethan to alter his natural tendencies, conditioned by a life of opulence. Resolutely, she couldn’t push him too hard. With a small sigh, she handed the wallet back to him, forcing a smile that masked her inner turmoil. "Forget it. Today marks my first day at work—it deserves a celebration. You should really save that money for yourself. I know you could use it." Ethan’s eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but feel a gentle warmth spread through her at his enthusiasm. "Great!" he exclaimed. Feeling her spirits lift, she stretched her arms above her head, a faint sigh of contentment escaping her lips. "I’ve never even sat in a Lamborghini before." Ethan settled beside her as the car purred softly, the powerful engine resonating in the air. Yet, through all his silent contemplation, he began to see that Janet was not who he thought. There was an essence about her that hinted at depths untapped and strength unseen. Just as dawn broke on the horizon, Janet boarded a bus to her new workplace, her energy drained from the long commute. She had risen before the sun, battling the morning chill, merely to ensure that she arrived on time. As she yawned, one of her colleagues nudged her. "The director wants to see you in his office." "Okay, I'll be right there," she replied, trying to shake off her weariness. Janet had yet to meet the director, only hearing whispers of his reputation as a talented designer. Gathering her composure, she slipped into the office, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate features. The sight before her momentarily took her breath away. "Mr. Lyman, what can I do for you?" she ventured, her voice steady but laced with curiosity. Ike Lyman stood at his desk, a man in his thirties, average in stature but with an air of authority. When his gaze fell on Janet, his eyes widened, almost as if he had stumbled upon a hidden treasure. "Nice to meet you, I’m Ike Lyman," he said, extending his hand. A recent business trip had kept him away, and now he was back to welcome her to the design department. "Thank you, Mr. Lyman," Janet replied, her handshake firm, letting go quickly after their connection. Earlier, colleagues had warned her of Ike's stern reputation, and yet, he seemed gracious and accommodating toward her. Perhaps it was simply too soon for him to reveal the tempest that resided beneath his surface. "If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to approach me," he continued, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized her face. There was a gleam in his gaze that sent shivers down her spine, a look that made her feel exposed—as if he were seeing through her very skin. "Okay," she managed to reply, her voice wavering slightly as she left his office, her skin tingling as if touched by frost. An unsettling feeling settled in her stomach, borne from Ike’s lingering gaze. By the time she returned home, the sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving her exhausted and drained from the long day. Falling onto the sofa, Janet let out a tired sigh. Ethan sat by the window, sorting through papers, his presence calming. The moment he detected her weariness, he set his file aside, concern etched across his face. "Why don’t we look for a house closer to your company? The commute is lengthy, and it consumes too much of your valuable time," he suggested, his voice warm, filled with earnestness. Janet opened her eyes, met his gaze, but the weight of skepticism still sat on her shoulders. "Forget it. The company is in the heart of the city, and the houses there are beyond my budget." "Leave it to me," he assured her, stepping closer. "I promise I will find you a comfortable place with affordable rent." Janet watched as he bent down to pick up her shoes, carelessly tossed aside, a smile barely hinting at the corners of her lips. She blinked, mulling it over for a moment, knowing that bypassing those hours spent on the bus would grant her more time for her designs—and visiting Hannah. "Okay," she conceded finally, the glimmer of hope igniting in her eyes. "Just make sure it’s a house I can afford." As he nodded, she could sense their lives subtly intertwining, the threads of their fates weaving together, bringing a glimmer of promise into the haze of uncertainty that lingered around them.