Chapter 57: Gutierrez Family Seeking an Audience_1

Luka Rogers lovingly touched Nola O'Connor's hair and smiled, "Alright, I promise."

Ethan Smith's patience began to wear thin.

He especially detested women like Nola O'Connor.

Ethan slowly turned around, about to speak, when Thomas suddenly waved his hand and said, "Forget it, let him go."

"Dad!" Nola stomped her foot in displeasure.

Thomas scolded, "You little brat, get lost!"

A faint killing intent still lingered in Ethan's heart.

Since reaching the Fifth-Layer Qi Refining Stage, he felt his heart becoming colder and colder.

But in the end, he held back.

"Mr. O'Connor, I advise you to discipline your daughter properly, or she'll suffer for it eventually." Ethan gave them a cold glance before leaving.

After Ethan and the others left, Nola angrily said, "Dad, what's the meaning of this! You don't help me deal with him, and don't even let Luka beat him up!"

Thomas looked at Nola and sighed, "That kid has the Taylor family backing him. It's one thing to humiliate him, but if we actually hurt him, no one could bear the consequences."

Hearing this, Luka's arrogance also diminished considerably.

Only Nola remained stubborn, insisting, "I don't care about the Taylor family, I must get my revenge!"

...

Ethan and Alan left the O'Connor residence.

On the way back, Alan was particularly uneasy.

When they arrived at the Dragon Rising Community, Alan suddenly knelt on the ground with a "plop."

"Mr. Smith, I'm sorry, I didn't expect Thomas to be that kind of person..." Alan knelt on the ground, full of self-blame.

Ethan frowned slightly, lifted Alan up and said, "It's not your fault. On the contrary, you surprised me."

Alan seemed not to fully understand the meaning of Ethan's words.

Ethan sighed, "In a filthy environment like the O'Connor family, remaining unpolluted is a sign you have your principles."

Alan had remained untainted, which was quite impressive.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Smith," Alan said with some self-reproach.

"By the way," Ethan suddenly looked at Alan.

He smiled, "Do you want to cultivate Inner Strength?"

Alan was startled and hurriedly nodded, "Of course, I do!"

Ethan smiled, "Alright, come to my place in three days, and I'll teach you."

"Really...really?!" Alan's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe it.

Ethan smiled, "A man's word is like a nail; when he says he'll do something, he'll do it."

"Thank you, Mr. Smith!" Alan was extremely excited and knelt on the ground again.

After Alan left, Ethan went back home.

Edward Green made a pot of tea for Ethan. Seeing Ethan's expression, Edward asked, "Mr. Smith, what's wrong?"

Ethan sighed and waved his hand, "This O'Connor family really taught me a lesson."

"Huh?" Edward puzzled.

Ethan took a sip of tea and said to himself, "Underneath a polite exterior, sometimes hides a filthy heart."

The next day.

Ethan got up early and went for a jog around the Dragon Rising Community with Edward.

Thirty laps, the two ran for over two hours.

On the way back, both were drenched in sweat.

However, while Edward panted heavily, Ethan's breathing remained steady.

"Mr. Smith, when will you teach me that breathing technique you mentioned?" Edward couldn't help but ask.

Ethan smiled and said, "Don't be anxious, since I promised you, I will definitely teach you."

As they spoke, the two had arrived at their front door.

Just as they reached the door, Ethan was surprised to find a car parked outside.Next to the car, there stood a man in his fifties.

Ethan Smith's brow furrowed as he approached the man. Before he could say anything, the man greeted him, "Mr. Smith, it's an honor to meet you."

This made Ethan even more baffled.

"Who are you?" Ethan looked at the man and asked politely.

The man continued, "Mr. Smith may not have heard of me, but I am Anson Gutierrez, the master of Gutierrez Martial Arts School."

"Gutierrez Martial Arts School?" Ethan was taken aback.

"The same Gutierrez that's having a competition with the O'Connor Family Martial Arts School soon?" Ethan asked in surprise.

Anson immediately responded with a hint of excitement, "I didn't expect Mr. Smith to have heard of our martial arts school."

Ethan laughed and couldn't help but exclaim, "What a twist of fate."

"Hm?" Anson looked puzzled.

Ethan waved his hand, "Since Mr. Gutierrez is here, please come in and have a seat."

Anson, without any hesitation, followed Ethan into the courtyard of the villa.

"Edward Green, please make some tea," Ethan said.

Edward nodded and, after a few minutes, brought a pot of tea to the table.

This made Anson impressed, "I didn't expect Mr. Smith, with his extraordinary skills, to be so humble."

Ethan laughed, "Mr. Gutierrez, you flatter me. I'm just an ordinary person."

"If you're an ordinary person, then we don't deserve to be alive," Anson said self-mockingly.

Ethan sized up Anson, thinking to himself.

It seemed that this Anson had some knowledge of him.

"What is it Mr. Gutierrez came to see me for?" Ethan asked.

Anson immediately waved his hand, and someone by his side brought over a gift box.

Inside the opened gift box was a panax ginseng C.A.Mey.

Though it wasn't as valuable as Thomas O'Connor's, it was still over ten years old.

"This is a wild ginseng I've treasured for years. I hope Mr. Smith will accept it," Anson said.

Ethan frowned, shaking his head, "I cannot accept a reward without merit. Mr. Gutierrez, if you have something to say, just say it."

Anson hesitated for a moment before saying, "Actually, I do have a favor to ask."

He continued with a sigh, "You know that our Gutierrez Family is going to have a competition with the O'Connor Family Martial Arts School soon. Both sides will send their best disciples to compete."

"Although that's the case, in reality, everyone seeks external help. The O'Connor Family has stronger connections than us, so the help they find is far better than what we can get."

Pausing for a moment, Anson then added somewhat pleadingly, "That's why I want to ask Mr. Smith to represent our Gutierrez Martial Arts School in the competition!"

Upon hearing this, Ethan almost spat out his tea!

He had just gone to the O'Connor Family yesterday, and now the Gutierrez Family was here today?

"Truly, fate plays with us," Ethan couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.

Ethan looked at Anson, puzzled, "Didn't the Gutierrez Family invite a master? Why would you come to me?"

Anson forced a smile, "That was just to intimidate Thomas O'Connor. With our Gutierrez Family's ability, what kind of master could we actually invite?" historical

Ethan suddenly understood.

He didn't expect these martial arts schools to have such intrigue.

Seeing Ethan remain silent, Anson sighed and said, "I knew Mr. Smith wouldn't agree. I'm sorry for bothering you."

With that, Anson turned to leave.

Ethan looked at Anson's retreating figure and laughed, "Mr. Gutierrez, you left your ginseng here."

Anson stopped in his tracks, shaking his head, "There's no reason to take back a gift once given. Farewell, Mr. Smith."

With that, Anson strode away without looking back.

Anson's attitude had indeed touched Ethan.

Moreover, Ethan wanted to let Thomas O'Connor know that the so-called master, Luka, they had invited was nothing!

"Wait!" Ethan called out to Anson.