Alice, too, wondered about Ethan''s behavior. He''d defended Chloe even after learning about the kickback scandal. Did he like Chloe?


    The hall fell silent after Lewis''s question. Chloe looked at Lewis in surprise; she hadn''t considered this, as Ethan rarely stayed home. But if Ethan liked her, it would be better than Lewis


    Ethan scolded Lewis, “What nonsense? I treat Chloe like a sister. Do you think everyone is like you, preying on their own sisters?” He was furious. Lewis saying he liked Chloe was absurd. He had reasons for protecting Chloe, but it wasn''t because he liked her. He wasn''t that desperate. Lewis was angry. “But Chloe isn''t our real sister."


    our


    cannot marry


    her." "I adopted her legally. She''s


    You legally sister. Alice hadn''t considered this; he was right. Even without blood ties, it was illegal.


    Lewis was stunned."Is that true?"


    Chloe quickly confirmed. “Fifth brother, that''s thew."


    you.


    Tomorrow, you''ll


    Chloe was relieved; she didn''t want to marry Lewis, but she had to agree to solve the problem. She knew they couldn''t get married, but she''d pretended not to know. Now Ethan had said it. Lewis held Chloe''s hand."Don''t worry, I''ll


    I''ll take care of marry you. terminate your adoption, move out, and we can get married." Chloe''s mouth twitched; she''d be a Land heiress; she wouldn''t give that up easily. She said softly, "I''ll decide."


    Lewis looked at Ethan."Big brother, will you stop us? Since you treat Chloe like a sister and me was the head of the household. like a brother, you should agree." Ethan


    Ethan, seeing Lewis''s empty trouser leg, felt a pang of guilt."Lewis, it''s not that I disagree, but Chloe was only adopted less than a year ago. Terminating the adoption will be aughingstock."


    “Then let''s keep it quiet," Lewis urged. "Big brother, I know you can do it; you just don''t want to agree. A cripple like me being liked is already fortunate; you''re stopping me from marrying? Is that respectful to Mom and Dad?"


    "Enough!" Ethan was furious. Lewis was so naive! Chloe clearly had other motives, but Ethan couldn''t say it.


    Alice watched, amused.“Big brother, just agree. Chloe will be family; isn''t that good?" "Alice, I know you hate me and want me gone. But I was adopted less than a year ago. If I terminate the adoption, how will I face people?” Chloe was anxious; she didn''t want Ethan to agree.


    Lewisforted Chloe. "Don''t worry, we''ll move to another city where no one knows us." Chloe was reluctant; she wanted to stay in Washington, not hide in some small town. Alice smiled slyly."That''s a good idea. The assets are divided; Fifth brother can live well elsewhere


    with his share."


    Ethan red at her."Alice, stop interfering!"


    "I''m not. Chloe only has the title; she doesn''t get the family''s assets. If she marries Fifth brother,


    85.5%


    sha


    they''ll have joint assets, fulfilling Fifth brother''s wish.” Alice smirked.“It''s a win viat Lewis was overjoyed. “That''s what I thought."


    "The assets can''t be divided until thepany goes public," Ethan said, sensitive about amet division. Chloe quickly interjected.“Fifth brother, Big brother''spany is about to go public; this will affect it. We''re not in a hurry; we have time.” She needed to stall Lewis. Ethan looked at Chloe approvingly."That''s right. We''ll wait until thepany goes public. Then we''ll quietly terminate the adoption." But he still didn''t agree to Chloe and Lewis. He''d call for


    now.


    Everyone except Lewis was happy.


    Alice stood up."I''m hungry. Let''s eat." The show was over.


    Except for Alice, no


    one was


    in the mood to


    eat. Lewis fawned over Chloe


    Ethan looked unhappy.


    Alice finished eating and looked at Chloe."I''m not pursuing legal action, but you have to repay the embezzled funds."


    Chloe whispered, “I don''t have that much money right now. Can I pay in installments? She''d spent the money on clothes and bags.


    Lewis said, “I''ll pay for Chloe. It''s just a few hundred thousand."


    "It''s about 600,000. Transfer it now; let''s settle this." Alice didn''t want to y games. Lewis looked ufortable.“Big brother, my share of thepany''s profits is substantial;800,000 shouldn''t be a problem.”


    "Your dividends are paid at year-end. Did you spend all ofst year''s dividends?" Lewis''s expression changed.“I spent it on Third brother''sb; research is expensive." Alice was surprised."I thought Third brother''sb had many investors; they weren''t short of money."


    “Alice, shut up! This isn''t your concern!" Lewis was guilty.“Big brother, advance this year''s dividends to me.” "Fine," Ethan readily agreed, but his face wasn''t happy.


    Chloe smiled at Lewis."Fifth brother, I''m sorry you had to pay so much. I''ll repay you.”


    "What are you saying? We''re getting married. My money is your money." Lewis held Chloe''s hand, looking affectionate.


    Ethan, frustrated, left.


    Lewis remembered something."Alice, give your room to Chloe. I want to use it as our wedding


    room."


    Click! Alice snapped her chopsticks.