Chapter 132: Wedding (6)

Ethan considered the question before answering. "It depends on what a person wants. Some people want to build a great company, others want recognition, and some simply want enough money to live without worrying about their next meal. I don’t think there’s one definition that works for everyone."

"Yet people often spend their entire lives pursuing the same things." Karim hummed, tilting his head.

"That’s true." Ethan leaned lightly against the pillar. "Money is important. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. It can give people security, opportunities, and the freedom to make choices they wouldn’t otherwise have. But I don’t think wealth automatically makes someone happy, just as poverty doesn’t automatically make someone miserable."

Karim turned his attention fully toward him.

"In my opinion, happiness is the most important thing," Ethan continued. "Whether someone is wealthy or poor, they should have something in their life that makes the struggle worthwhile. It might be their family, the work they do, the people they help, or simply the peace of knowing they’re living the way they want. If someone spends their entire life chasing wealth but never has time to enjoy it, what exactly have they gained?"

He paused briefly, then added with a small smile, "Of course, it’s easier to talk about happiness when you don’t have unpaid bills waiting for you. Financial problems can ruin anyone’s mood."

Karim laughed at the remark, and Ethan joined him.

"But I still believe the principle holds," Ethan said. "Money can solve many problems, but it can’t guarantee that the people around you genuinely care about you. It can’t make a marriage work if both people have stopped listening to each other, and it can’t give you back the years you spent neglecting your family. There’s nothing wrong with wanting more from life. The problem begins when getting more becomes the only thing that matters."

Karim remained quiet for a moment, considering his words. As a businessman, he had spent decades building and protecting what he had. He understood the value of ambition and the sacrifices that success demanded, but he had also seen people accumulate fortunes only to discover that their personal lives had become painfully empty.

He had not expected to hear such a measured perspective from one of Albert’s relatives, especially from someone he had barely spoken to before today.

"You have an interesting way of looking at things," Karim remarked, his smile becoming warmer.

"I’ve had enough time to think about them," Ethan replied casually. "And I’ve probably made enough mistakes to know that not every worthwhile thing can be measured in money."

Karim studied him briefly before reaching over to pat his shoulder. "I hope you continue to hold on to that perspective, Ethan."

"I intend to."

"Good." Karim glanced toward the hall, where another group of guests had begun gathering. "I should return before someone accuses me of abandoning my own daughter’s wedding."

"Wouldn’t want that happening." Ethan nodded.

Karim laughed and offered his hand again. "It was a pleasure speaking with you."

"The pleasure was mine."

After another brief exchange, Karim returned to the guests, leaving Ethan beside the pillar. The older man glanced back once before disappearing into the crowd, wearing a thoughtful smile.

Ethan watched him go, then shrugged lightly.

’That was a pleasant conversation.’

He pushed away from the pillar and returned to the hall, where the sound of laughter and clinking glasses had grown louder. Whatever impression he had made on Karim, Ethan had no intention of spending the rest of the afternoon thinking about it. He had come to celebrate Albert’s marriage, and he intended to enjoy himself.

.........

By the time the guests settled around the main tables for the reception, the hall had become considerably livelier. The newlyweds had moved from table to table to greet their guests, and the servers were bringing out trays of food while relatives exchanged stories and jokes.

Ethan took his seat beside Evelyn, with Nora sitting on Evelyn’s other side. Jason and Maria were nearby, while Richard and Helen joined them shortly afterward. Albert and Yasmine occupied places at the main table, where they could receive congratulations from the family without having to leave their seats every few minutes.

Nora had spent most of the morning behaving like a reserved young lady. She had greeted the relatives politely, answered questions when spoken to, and maintained the sort of composure that often made adults remark on how well-behaved she was.

That performance lasted until the food arrived.

The moment a server placed a plate in front of her, Nora’s eyes brightened. She glanced around to make sure nobody was paying particular attention to her, then began eating with a determination that seemed almost competitive.

Ethan noticed first. He watched her take another generous bite, followed by a second, before leaning toward Evelyn and murmuring, "Should we be worried? I think someone has been starving our daughter."

Evelyn looked at Nora and immediately pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. "Ethan, don’t start."

"I’m serious. Look at her. She hasn’t even finished chewing before reaching for the next piece."

Nora stopped mid-bite and looked at him with narrowed eyes. "I’m hungry."

"Clearly. I was just wondering where the shy girl from this morning went."

"She went home," Nora replied before returning to her food.

Ethan stared at her for a moment, then burst out laughing. Evelyn covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking as she tried to contain her amusement.

Jason, who had overheard the exchange, turned toward them. "What’s so funny?"

"Nothing, old man," Ethan replied, still grinning. "I’m simply discovering that Nora has a very impressive appetite."

Jason looked at his granddaughter’s plate and raised an eyebrow. "At least someone in this family knows how to enjoy a wedding. You should learn from her instead of wasting time talking."

"Are you suggesting I don’t know how to eat?" Ethan’s brows furrowed.

Snorting, Jason looked away. "I’m suggesting that you talk too much."

Richard chuckled from across the table. "He has a point, Ethan. You’ve always been better at talking your way out of trouble than avoiding it in the first place."

Ethan turned toward his uncle with mock disbelief. "Uncle Richard, I thought we were family. Why are you joining forces with him?"

"Because someone has to keep you humble." Richard smiled thinly, though there was no malice in it.

"Wonderful. The old men have formed an alliance," Ethan murmured in mock disbelief.

Jason snorted. "Call me old again, brat, and I’ll make sure you don’t get a second serving."

Ethan looked down at his plate, which was still half-full, then calmly picked up another piece of food. "You wouldn’t dare. Mom would be disappointed in you."

"Don’t drag my wife into this!" Jason retorted.