**Chapter 9: Regret** The air lay heavy with unspoken words as Ethan stood poised at the entrance, a commanding presence that held Janet back, as if time itself dared not move forward. “Why are you here? I want to go back. Move out of my way!” Her voice cracked, a raw mix of anger and sorrow spilling over her carefully constructed facade. Ethan’s eyes softened as he caught sight of the tears glistening on her cheeks, their luminescence reflecting both her pain and vulnerability. He scanned the room, taking in the shocked expressions of those present, before gently grasping her wrist, his touch warm yet firm. “There’s no hurry,” he replied, his voice low and reassuring. With that, he guided her back into the living room where Sean was busy arranging an extravagant display. One by one, Sean peeled back the layers of the opulent bags, revealing treasures that shimmered under the room's soft lighting. He wiped the sweat from his brow, panting slightly, before retreating behind Ethan, worn from the physical effort but clearly proud of what he had accomplished. Janet stood there, her breath hitching as her eyes widened at the magnificent array before her: glittering jewelry, elegant timepieces, sumptuous wines, and rare antiques—all laid out like a treasure trove. A twinge of suspicion nagged at her. Were these tokens of affection genuine, or merely a facade, like the counterfeit watch Ethan had once worn, a relic from a “friend” masquerading as something more? The Lind family might not have been the pinnacle of prosperity in the city, but they were no strangers to the sheen of luxury; they knew how to spot a fraud. “Ethan, what were you thinking?” Janet whispered, leaning in, the urgency evident in her tone. “They’re not easy to fool! Just… if they find out these are fake, tell them I bought them!” Her instinct to shoulder the blame amused Ethan, prompting a faint grin to play upon his lips. It was a novel sensation; here was someone who genuinely thought him capable of giving mere imitations as gifts. “Don’t fret,” he replied, his thumb brushing softly against her palm. “I do not gift fakes.” It took a moment for Fiona and Jocelyn to fully absorb the scene. Once shocked into silence, they exchanged glances, their expressions morphing from awe to disbelief. They both understood the true value of what lay before them—these were no ordinary gifts, but rather tokens beyond compare. A sweet smile crept onto Fiona’s face. “Ethan, now that we’re family, this is your home too. You don't need to bring gifts—especially ones this extravagant. We can’t possibly accept them!” Jocelyn, however, was entranced by a dazzling diamond necklace glittering temptingly on the table. The limited-edition bracelet, her heart’s desire, was right there, just within reach. But before she could snatch it up and adorn her wrist, Ethan closed the velvet boxes with a practiced ease, gathering them back into the bags. He shot a glance at the mother and daughter duo, their eyes betraying their greedy desires. “These were meant to be gifts from the Lester family for you,” he said with cool calculation, “but I just heard that you no longer consider her your daughter. In that case, I shall keep these treasures. A family of your stature surely doesn’t need to sully itself with such trifles.” Both Fiona and Jocelyn stood frozen, the weight of his words crashing down upon them like a tidal wave. Jocelyn anxiously pulled at her mother’s sleeve, desperation shining in her eyes. “Mom! Say something! I really want that limited-edition jewelry!” Fiona felt panic rise within her. She had always believed she was a woman of the world, adept at navigating luxuries and wealth, but now, standing before Ethan, it was clear she had miscalculated. The Lind family was but a shadow compared to the power of the Lester family. Even as Ethan stood there, labeled as an illegitimate son, his heroic stature overshadowed her dream of leveraging Janet for her own gain. Regret seeped into her heart, twisting and coiling, as she realized her once golden opportunity had vanished because of her pride and scorn.