Chapter 8

Ethan had rarely been involved in family affairs since reaching adulthood, and he didn’t know much about his niece, only aware that his brother and sister-in-law doted on her excessively.

Therefore, he felt more shocked and furious than anyone else.

How could there be such shameless and deceitful people in this world?

And this person happened to be his own blood relative.

“What nonsense are you spouting?!” Ethan’s eyes turned icy cold instantly.

“Uncle! I don’t mean to blame you! It must be Avila’s cunning ways that made you lose your senses temporarily! Otherwise, how could you possibly help her suppress me? We are the real family!” Allison argued confidently, “Just look at this Avila, dressed like a cheap salesperson, her family is dirt poor! I wouldn’t even bother to glance at her if she were begging on the street! Yet she dares to dream of climbing into your bed and stepping into our Sterling family-”

“Enough!”

A cold shout accompanied by the crisp sound of a slap interrupted Allison’s rant.

The office fell into a sudden silence.

Even the students eavesdropping outside the door held their breath.

No one expected Ethan Sterling to slap his niece in public.

In full view, the slap was delivered without reservation.

A clear imprint of fingers quickly appeared on Allison’s face.

“How could the Sterling family produce such a worthless person as you.”

Ethan said, enunciating each word.

His tone was devoid of emotion, and his gaze was chillingly cold.

Yet it sent shivers down one’s spine.

This was the true demeanor of someone in power when genuinely angered.

He wouldn’t be hysterical, nor would he spew vile words.

But every word he uttered felt like the sword of Damocles hanging overhead.

Allison finally reacted from the shock and pain.

This uncle, who had been away for years and kept a low profile, was far from being as easily manipulated as she imagined.

No wonder, when she pleaded with her parents to intervene, they reprimanded her instead:

“Whatever your uncle says goes! Remember, if you anger him, none of us will have a good outcome!”

Allison didn’t understand before.

Now she fully comprehended.

Their entire family lived under the shadow of her uncle’s influence.

This had nothing to do with seniority, only with ability and power.

Allison was so frightened that tears streamed down her face.

She knelt before me with a thud: “I’m sorry, Avila! I know I was wrong! Please, help me plead with Uncle…”

Unfortunately, I had no intention of showing any mercy.

I didn’t even glance at her and said to Ethan, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”

Ethan suddenly turned to look at me.

“Don’t you want to hear my side of the story?” His tone softened, carrying a sense of earnestness,

“I’m the one pursuing Avila Winters, I’m the one entangled with her. None of this has anything to do with her.”