Chapter 876

Ethan Roscente strode toward the arcade counter with an unusually buoyant step. He handed the manager a black card with effortless confidence.

"Put today's expenses on my tab."

The manager's eyes widened as he accepted the card. He immediately instructed staff to display a "Free Play" sign.

Word spread fast. More customers flooded into the arcade within minutes.

Ethan returned to Vivian Laurent with a bucket overflowing with tokens.

"What do you want to play?"

Vivian took the tokens and distributed them to nearby children without hesitation.

"It's more fun when everyone plays together."

She stopped before a claw machine, her gaze fixed on a sparrow plushie inside.

The claw descended repeatedly, each attempt ending in failure.

"Is this machine rigged?"

Ethan stood behind her, his lips curving upward involuntarily.

"Are you laughing at me?" Vivian turned to glare at him.

He schooled his expression instantly. "Absolutely not."

Determined, Vivian kept feeding tokens into the machine. After countless tries, the claw finally grasped the plushie.

"For you."

She turned to offer it, but Ethan caught her hand instead.

"Let go." The tips of Vivian's ears turned pink.

"Thank you." His voice was low and warm.

This was his first time experiencing a movie date, arcade games, and plushie prizes—all with someone by his side.

"You're welcome." Vivian tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.

"Miss, can I have that?"

A little girl with pigtails gazed up at them with hopeful eyes.

Ethan swiftly snatched the plushie and clutched it to his chest.

"It's mine."

The girl's face fell.

Vivian crouched to her level. "How about I win another one for you?"

"Really?" The child's eyes lit up instantly.

"Of course."

Ethan watched as Vivian patiently guided the girl through operating the machine.

A sudden thought struck him—when their own child arrived, Vivian would make an incredibly gentle mother.

The idea sent warmth flooding through his chest.