A Matrilocal Husband's Counterattack

Chapter 29: Mr. Zacher wants to sit here

Black Dog and Howard Green fled with their group in disarray.

Ethan was met with cheers and applause from the entire market.

Black Dog's gang had been an oppressive force, and now that Ethan had taken a stand, waived the "management fees," and given everyone some breathing room, the vendors were deeply grateful.

The vendors crowded around him, not only purchasing all the herbal tea but also gifting Ethan and Mary with goods from their stalls.

Chickens, ducks, fish, fresh vegetables, and fruits quickly piled up at the tea stall. Ethan tried to return the gifts, but the uncles and aunts scolded him sternly for being impolite.

He and Mary had no choice but to accept the offerings. With so much food, they wouldn't need to buy groceries for the next two weeks.

Mary was in high spirits, her face glowing with joy, as she led Ethan and Sophia back home.

Lunch at Mary's house was a sumptuous feast. The table was set with six dishes and a soup, all delicious and fragrant, allowing Ethan and Sophia to eat to their hearts' content.

They stayed with Mary until 5 PM before heading back to the Thompson residence.

On the way back, Sophia received a call. She pulled Ethan into her BMW and explained as they drove, "My sister and her husband invited us to dinner tonight."

Her brother-in-law, Henry, had recently secured a major contract, and her sister, Cecilia, had just been promoted to department head—a double celebration. The Han family had invited the Thompsons to dinner at the Grand Aristocrat restaurant. Since Timothy and Linda had other commitments, they sent Sophia and Ethan as their representatives.

Hearing this, Ethan was reluctant. "Do I really have to go?"

He still remembered the Rolex incident, where Henry and Cecilia had lost face because of him. Ethan worried they would seize the chance to make him miserable.

Sophia teased him with a smile, "My brother-in-law and sister specifically asked for you to be there. If you don't go, they'll accuse our family of being impolite."

"And besides, if you don't go to draw their fire, I'll end up as their target."

Ethan jokingly patted Sophia's leg. "Ah, so you're using me as your shield!"

His palm accidentally brushed against her stockings, feeling the warmth and smoothness of her skin.

Sophia stiffened for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with the touch, but, uncharacteristically, she didn't push Ethan's hand away or scold him. Instead, she pretended not to notice, focusing on driving as her fingers turned the wheel.

It was a small shift, but it marked her growing acceptance of Ethan.

Ethan, emboldened by her silence, dared to gently knead her leg. Sophia's body visibly tensed, yet she remained silent. Encouraged, Ethan ventured higher.

"Are you done?"

Sophia snapped, her voice tinged with anger but still restrained.

Ethan quickly withdrew his hand, grinning sheepishly.

At 7 PM, they arrived at the Grand Aristocrat's "Bingzi Room."

The private dining room was luxuriously decorated, with three large round tables capable of seating thirty people. Each table had a minimum charge of $8,000, showing that the Han family had spared no expense for the occasion.

The tables were already filled with guests chatting happily. Sophia led Ethan around to greet everyone. However, most of the Han family barely acknowledged them. Their responses were either indifferent or impatient, making Sophia feel embarrassed.