When Ethan returned home, night had fallen, the soft glow of streetlights illuminating the quiet neighborhood. The drive had been peaceful, and he had told Jessica to leave her car at the office for the night. Mark, ever reliable, would pick her up for work in the morning.
It was the least he could do after a long and eventful day. As Ethan stepped inside his house, he was greeted by the comforting aroma of home-cooked food. The soft hum of conversation and the clatter of dishes filled the air, and he saw his family bustling about in the kitchen, preparing dinner.
He walked calmly toward them, a warm smile spreading across his face. “Hey, everyone,” he greeted his voice a mixture of exhaustion and contentment.
“Ethan!” His little sister, Lily, spun around from setting the table, her eyes alight with mischief. She waved a spatula at him playfully. “You don’t look like a university student on a semester break,” she teased, smirking. “You’re supposed to be lounging and lazy, not running off to work daily.”
Ethan chuckled, a hint of surprise crossing his face as he realized how busy he had become. Lily’s words had struck a chord. He suddenly remembered that he still had classes after the break ended.
His thoughts drifted to the dilemma now hanging over him—should he continue with his studies or withdraw entirely?
The idea of a distance learning program also crossed his mind as a potential compromise. He needed to consider his options carefully, especially now that NovaTech and his other ventures demanded much of his time.
“Ethan?” A voice interrupted his thoughts, snapping him back to the present. He blinked, realizing that Jacob, his younger brother, had repeatedly called him.
“Sorry, Jacob, I was lost in thought,” Ethan said, ruffling Jacob’s hair with a grin.
Jacob pulled away, his eyes wide with curiosity. “Is it true, Ethan? Did your company really buy Ridge Rovers FC?”
Ethan hesitated, caught off guard. He had almost forgotten Jacob was a huge football enthusiast, always keeping up with the latest news in the beautiful game world. It didn’t matter if Ridge Rovers FC was a middle-table team; any acquisition in the world of football was newsworthy.
“Yeah,” Ethan admitted, his tone casual. “It’s true. NovaTech finalized the acquisition recently.”
Jacob’s eyes lit up with excitement. “No way! You’re serious? You bought a football club?” His voice was a mix of disbelief and exhilaration, and he practically bounced on his toes.
“Well, technically, my company did,” Ethan clarified. Still, the thrill in Jacob’s reaction was infectious, and he couldn’t help but laugh. Jacob’s passion for football had always been genuine. Ethan felt pride as he watched his younger brother’s amazement.
Jacob was full of questions, his curiosity spilling over. “So what’s going to happen now? Are you going to change the team? Are you bringing in new players? Oh, man, I can’t believe it. You actually own Ridge Rovers!”
Ethan raised a hand, chuckling softly. “Whoa, slow down, Jacob. We’re taking things step by step. There’s a lot to do—new strategies, improving the facilities, and building a solid team. But don’t worry,” he added, reassuring Jacob. “I’m planning to make Ridge Rovers a club worth watching.”
Jacob’s excitement was palpable, and he nodded eagerly. “I knew you’d do something big, but this… this is awesome. You have to take me to a game, okay?”
“Of course,” Ethan promised, a warmth spreading through him. He had always known that his family was his anchor, and moments like these reminded him why he was doing all this—to ensure a better future for the people he cared about.
Ethan’s parents, Aaron and Elise, watched with a gentle warmth in their eyes as they observed the lively exchange between their children. They had let the siblings’ conversation unfold without interruption, enjoying the energy that had returned to the house now that Ethan was home.
Finally, after Jacob’s enthusiasm had settled and he had returned to help set the table, Elise stepped forward, her expression soft and affectionate. “Ethan,” she said with a smile, her voice carrying a hint of awe. “You look… different. I don’t know exactly what it is, but you’ve changed.”
Ethan glanced at his mother, surprised by the observation. He knew what she meant—he felt different, too, but he couldn’t quite say it. Whatever the system had done, it had transformed him in ways that were not just physical but went deeper, reaching into the core of who he was.
Aaron chuckled, stepping up beside Elise and giving Ethan a playful grin. “Maybe it’s because his future is so bright it’s blinding the rest of us,” he said, half-joking. There was a twinkle in his eye, the kind only a proud father could have.
Ethan laughed though a flicker of unease settled in the back of his mind. He was suddenly aware of how much he had changed—his appearance had changed the most.
Yet his family saw none of it and seemed to accept his transformation without question. He couldn’t help but wonder how the system had managed to hide those changes so well.
Had his appearance altered subtly over time, so gradually that no one noticed?
Or was there something deeper at play, something tied to the nature of the system itself?
A faint chill ran down his spine as he recalled the many times he had felt the system’s influence over his life, guiding him and changing him without explanation.
No matter how hard he tried, it was a mystery he couldn’t unravel. The system had come into his life without warning, and he had never questioned where it had come from. Now, he was beginning to realize how little he understood about the force that had dramatically altered his path.
‘It’s all connected to the system,’ Ethan thought, feeling a strange blend of curiosity and apprehension.
Whatever it was, the system had a way of seamlessly integrating everything into his life, avoiding suspicion even when his capabilities surpassed human limits. He had to trust that it was all part of a larger plan that he had yet to fully comprehend.
“Well,” he said, keeping his tone light despite the weight of his thoughts, “I guess I’ve been working harder than usual. Running a company, buying a football club—it’s been a busy time.”
Elise laughed softly, reaching out to touch his arm, her eyes filled with pride. “And you’re handling it all so well. We always knew you’d do great things, Ethan, but seeing it happen… it’s like you’re finally becoming the person you were meant to be.”
Ethan felt a rush of warmth at his mother’s words, and he hugged her gently. “Thanks, Mom,” he said quietly, feeling deeply grateful for the unwavering support his parents had always given him.
Aaron clapped a hand on Ethan’s shoulder, his smile broad. “I’m just glad you’re home, son. No matter what you achieve, you’re still our Ethan.”
Ethan grinned, feeling the weight of his responsibilities ease slightly in the warmth of his family’s love. For a moment, he allowed himself to simply be there—no thoughts of the system, no worries about the challenges ahead, just the comfort of being with the people who knew him best.
“Come on, dinner’s ready,” Elise said, breaking the moment with a cheerful smile. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
