Chapter 006: Reunion

Monica Lyson had told herself not to be weak anymore, not to shed tears for this man again. But at this moment, she couldn't hold back.
These six years had been so hard and exhausting for her, and all this suffering was caused by the man before her.
Without giving Ethan Thubron another glance, Monica turned and decisively walked out of the room. As she stepped through the doorway, she reached up to wipe away the tears on her cheeks.
Ethan showed a slight look of surprise, but it quickly vanished.
In that instant, he realized that something must have happened during these six years to change Monica's demeanor. But now wasn't the time to ask about it.
Quinn Zorn stood there, bewildered by Monica's unusual behavior.
This famous ice queen of Westford had always been indifferent to men. But now, she was visibly shaken because of an unremarkable man—it was puzzling.
Ethan, who had been sitting, suddenly stood up and strode out after Monica. On the floor, the cold handcuffs lay discarded.
He quickly caught up to her, taking long strides. Quinn, full of curiosity, didn't stop him. Even if she could, she wasn't sure she had the ability—or the courage—to do so.
Even now, with his Nascent Soul damaged, Ethan could easily stop Monica if he wanted. But he chose not to, instead following closely behind her, calling out, "Monica, please let me explain."
"Explain?" Monica abruptly halted, turning to glare coldly at Ethan with icy eyes. She sneered, "From the day you left, there's nothing more to say between us."
Ethan was about to speak when Quinn caught up to them, holding the broken handcuffs in her hand. She approached and nodded slightly to Monica. "Miss Lyson, if you wish to leave with this gentleman, you can arrange for his bail."
Though she said this, Quinn's eyes betrayed her curiosity as they darted between the two. It was clear that the fire of gossip was burning brightly within her.
Monica had already regained her usual cold demeanor, perhaps realizing she shouldn't lose composure in front of others. She no longer looked at Ethan but nodded lightly to Quinn. "Very well, Officer Zorn. Please inform my assistant to handle it."
This was clearly a tactic to send Quinn away, but the gossiping fire in Quinn's heart was ablaze. She snapped her fingers, signaling a young officer peeking out from a nearby office—who was also eager to watch the drama—to run the errand.
Although the young officer was reluctant, he didn't dare disobey Quinn's orders and hurried off.
Monica, though hiding her earlier anger, paid no further attention to Ethan. This man had hurt her too deeply. She turned and walked toward the main entrance.
Ethan knew there was a misunderstanding between them but didn't know how to explain. He could only smile bitterly and continue following her outside.
Technically, Ethan's bail hadn't been processed yet, so leaving now seemed a bit improper. But given the prominent status of Miss Lyson, the officers didn't want to offend her.
Besides, Ethan had single-handedly taken down nine vicious kidnappers in an instant. Even without thinking too hard, they knew he wasn't someone to mess with. Since even Quinn hadn't objected, no one else dared to intervene.
As the two walked out of the police station, Quinn couldn't follow them any further. She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Who exactly was this man?
Why did he give her such an intense sense of pressure and fear? His file showed an ordinary background, nothing unusual. He had disappeared six years ago and reappeared mysteriously now.
Yes, mysteriously.
In this age of information, where news travels fast, it's nearly impossible for someone to hide in a city for so long.
And why would the esteemed Miss Lyson, who always looked down on even the most outstanding men, have a past with this unremarkable guy?
Quinn furrowed her brows, thinking to herself: Ethan Thubron, I'll remember you. I will find out the truth!
By the time they stepped out of the police station, the sun was setting.
In the twilight, Monica walked with her head down, growing angrier and more aggrieved with each step.
When she reached the red Cayenne parked at the entrance, she suddenly stopped and turned to face Ethan.
Ethan halted, about to speak. "Monica..."
A bank card appeared between Monica's fingers, seemingly out of nowhere. She held it with trembling hands and said coldly, "Here's one million. The PIN is six zeros. From now on, I hope you won't appear before me again."
As she uttered these words, it felt like a knife was stabbing her heart, making it hard to breathe.
No matter how much she hated this man, deep in her memories, the beautiful times they once shared hadn't faded. When she chose to take out this bank card and say those words, her heart was bleeding.
Ethan hadn't expected Monica to react this way. Was it because he had left without a word back then that she harbored such deep resentment toward him?
Thinking of this, he felt a mix of emotions. But he wasn't someone adept at expressing himself, especially in matters of the heart.
Seeing Ethan standing there motionless, Monica bit her lower lip, then threw the bank card at his feet and walked away unsteadily.
Money?
A bitter smile formed in Ethan's heart.
Would the Stellar Sovereign who dominated the Northern Star Region care about money?
As someone who once stood at the pinnacle of power, commanding respect and submission from all, anything he desired was his. When had he ever cared about money?
Ethan wanted to laugh bitterly. After enduring countless hardships to return to this planet he longed for, their first meeting turned out to be such a disaster.
But now, he couldn't laugh. Even if he did, it would be a bitter laugh.
Seeing Monica reach her car, Ethan extended his hand to grasp her wrist.
At that moment, a sudden whooshing sound came from the side.
Without even looking, Ethan waved his hand casually. The dark shadow hurtling toward him was instantly sent flying backward.
That shadow was none other than Anya, who had been by Monica's side.
Anya struggled to suppress the pain in her foot, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Ethan. Her heart was in turmoil.
The man before her looked ordinary, dressed plainly—so unremarkable that he'd blend into any crowd. Yet, he exuded a dangerous aura—intangible but suffocating.
Since Anya could remember, she had never felt such fear.
Though she saw just an unassuming young man, to her, he was as terrifying as a monstrous beast. Even without knowing his background, she had the illusion that he could obliterate her in an instant with just a flick of his finger.