Chapter 9: Everything I Said Is True

Words : 2372 Updated : Dec 20th, 2023

Faela panicked, her nerves immediately fraying. Despite her disappointment in her adoptive brother, she couldn't bear the thought of him being arrested again. "Frenetos, please think of a solution. Maybe Fanix just acted impulsively," she pleaded, her voice trembling. Frenetos shot a glance at the manager, who replied sharply, "Impulsive? He's blatantly violating our hotel's rules. He's a dangerous criminal, and I need to report this to the police immediately." "No, please don't do that," Faela quickly begged, her desperation clear. Frenetos, deciding he'd had enough of the manager's attitude, slapped him across the face. "Are you stupid? How dare you speak to my wife like that? Fanix is my brother-in-law. You better show some respect. Are you seriously considering calling the police?" The manager quickly lowered his head in submission. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dean. I didn't realize your connection to him. I apologize. I'll give you some face." "See, Faela? Nothing can go wrong with me here. Fanix, you should've let me know you were coming. I would've picked you up, and this whole misunderstanding could've been avoided." "Come on, let's go inside. Faela, bring him in and make him comfortable. I'll go order some food." Frenetos made sure to flaunt his authority in front of Faela, who couldn't thank him enough. "Let's go, Fanix. I don't know what to say to you. You need to be more careful in the future. If it weren't for Frenetos, I'm not sure how this would've ended," Faela sighed, leading the way. Fanix knew the real story but chose not to expose it, understanding the delicate nature of their relationship. He stayed silent, following her into the private room. Frenetos tipped the manager generously, and they exchanged knowing smiles. "Mom, Dad, Fanix is here," Faela announced as she introduced Fanix to the others in the room. Frenetos' parents eyed Fanix with disdain, barely concealing their indifference. Fanix didn't mind—after all, he had shown up uninvited. His main reason for coming was to see his foster parents and Faela, and perhaps hear about the wedding plans. But his foster mother, Keira, wasn't pleased. She was visibly upset and impatient. "Fanix, why are you here? No one invited you, and there's no seat for you at this table," she said coldly. "Mom, I just want to say a few words before I leave," Fanix replied, his tone respectful. He glanced at the Dean family, then poured some wine into a glass and raised it. "Mr. Dean, Mrs. Dean, I toast to you both. Faela is about to join your family, and I hope you will take care of her. She's still young and may make mistakes, but please be patient with her. I'll drink first as a sign of respect." Frenetos' mother sneered. "What do you mean by that, young man? Are you suggesting we won't treat Faela well? Marrying into the Dean family is a blessing for her. Besides, she's not even your real sister, so why are you so concerned?" "I just want her to be happy," Fanix replied, looking at Faela with concern. "She's no princess, and we don't need to pamper her. Marrying into the Dean family means she'll follow our rules. This should be clear from the start, right?" Frenetos' mother said arrogantly, looking down on the entire family. Fanix opened his mouth to speak, but Keira quickly pushed him aside and glared at him. "You're right. Don't worry, Faela is very capable. Let's focus on finalizing the wedding date. Whenever you decide, we'll go with it," Keira said, eager to appease the Deans. "Mom, isn't this a bit rushed? Shouldn't we consider Faela's opinion?" Fanix asked cautiously. "Shut up! This has nothing to do with you. You can't even manage your own life. Have you found a job yet? What are you doing back here? And you have the nerve to come here and ramble on. Get out immediately," Keira snapped, cutting off Fanix's words, clearly anxious that he might ruin everything. Just then, Frenetos entered the room. To continue showing off and humiliating Fanix, Frenetos blocked the doorway with a smirk. "Don't be angry, Mrs. Edwards. It's a happy day. Fanix is just looking out for us. He's honoring us with his presence. Let's all sit down and enjoy the meal together," Frenetos said, taking a seat, deliberately leaving none for Fanix. Faela, unable to bear the tension, started to rise to give her seat to Fanix, but Frenetos stopped her. "Hey, don't. Here, Fanix, sit here," Frenetos said mockingly, placing a small stool by the side. Fanix neither sat down nor left. The ridicule didn't faze him. "I just want to know the wedding date, say a few words, and then I'll leave. I won't be staying for the meal," he stated calmly. "What's there to say? If you're not eating, then leave," Keira said, slamming the table. Verruckt, who had been quietly observing, suddenly stood up and offered his seat to Fanix. "Come on, son, don't mind your mother. Let's have a drink together," Verruckt said. "Dad, there's no need. I just wanted to mention one thing. I brought a wedding gift for Faela. Also, I left some gifts for you all the last time I was here, but I left in a hurry and didn't explain properly." Frenetos couldn't resist mocking him further. "What kind of gift could you possibly offer? You've just been released from prison." Despising Fanix deep down, Frenetos immediately boasted, "Speaking of gifts, Faela, I've already prepared something special for you. Look at this." Frenetos pulled out a set of keys and tossed them onto the table. "Oh my, are those house keys? Frenetos, did you buy Faela a house as a wedding gift?" Keira's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Mrs. Edwards, you have a keen eye. Yes, that's exactly what these are. The house is near Norston Tower," Frenetos replied smugly. Keira was practically bursting with joy. "A house near Norston Tower? I've heard even the basic units cost over 1 million. You're too kind to her!" Frenetos basked in the praise. "You're right, Mrs. Edwards. But this house is in a nearby community, Jaston Waterfront, and it cost just over 200 thousand. After the wedding, I'll buy her a place in Norston Tower." Keira clapped her hands in delight. "Oh, Frenetos, you're so good to Faela! Faela, hurry and thank Frenetos and pour a drink for your in-laws!" Faela smiled as she poured wine for Frenetos' parents, but they refused, covering their glasses. "What are you doing? Don't you know we have high blood pressure? You're already showing such a lack of consideration, and the marriage hasn't even happened yet. A house worth over 200 thousand? My son is spoiling you too much," Frenetos' mother scolded, the atmosphere suddenly turning cold. Verruckt, not wanting to intervene, quietly smoked his cigarette. But Keira, ever the diplomat, quickly raised her glass. "Oh, in-laws, Frenetos is just showing his love for Faela. I may have spoiled her a bit, so she's still naive. Faela, apologize quickly," Keira urged. Faela felt wronged but complied, aware of the delicate situation. Fanix couldn't take it any longer. "Faela, there's no need to buy a house in Norston Tower. I've already bought one for our parents and for you. That's the main reason I'm here now." Keira scoffed, "What did you say? You bought each of us a house in Norston Tower? That's absurd. If you want to brag, go do it elsewhere." Frenetos laughed mockingly, and his parents looked at Fanix with even more disdain. "Faela, your brother sure has a wild imagination. Maybe prison messed with his head, and now he's spouting nonsense. Should I take him to the hospital for a check-up?" Frenetos said, laughing. Faela was mortified. She had hoped Fanix would defend her, rekindling their childhood bond, but instead, he was making things worse with his outlandish claims. "Fanix, maybe you should go home and rest," Faela suggested gently, trying to diffuse the situation. "What I said is true. You can come with me to see the house in Norston Tower if you like," Fanix replied, his calm demeanor unwavering. Keira's patience snapped. "Enough! If you really have the keys to an apartment in Norston Tower, I'll be eternally grateful. Hand them over," she demanded, extending her hand. "I already gave the keys to Faela. Didn't she open the gift box I brought home that day?" Fanix asked. As soon as the words left his mouth, Verruckt's hand trembled, causing him to spill his drink. He stared at Fanix, struggling to keep his composure. That gift box had been thrown in the trash. Verruckt had found it, opened it, and discovered the keys inside. Fortunately, he hadn't discarded them. They were still in his pocket. "Are you drunk already? You haven't even had much to drink," Frenetos sneered at Verruckt. Verruckt suddenly stood up, his face serious. "Fanix is telling the truth. He did leave some keys at home that day. Here they are." He pulled out the keys and placed them on the table.

Chapter 9: Everything I Said Is True

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