Chapter 6: Travis' Father

Words : 2228 Updated : Jul 3rd, 2025

After leaving the villa, Raven was still in shock and disbelief. She gripped Travis's hand tightly and kept her eyes glued to him, as if she was scared he'd disappear the next second. Travis didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Mom, watch where you're going," he said, squeezing her hand tighter to comfort her. Raven snapped out of it and gave an embarrassed smile. "Travis, I'm just so happy, but I'm scared this is all a dream. I'm afraid you'll disappear when I come to my senses." Seeing the worry in his mom's eyes, Travis's heart ached. He stopped and held her hands tightly. "Mom, you're not dreaming. I'm back, and I'm not going anywhere again. I'll stay with you and take care of you!" Feeling the strength in Travis's big hands, Raven's eyes turned red with tears. "Alright, alright. But where have you been these past ten years?" Her son had disappeared for ten years and suddenly came back. It was just unbelievable to her. Travis paused for a moment, then changed the subject. "Mom, it's a long story. Let's pick up Dad first, and I'll tell you and Dad everything once we're home, okay?" "Alright," Raven nodded. Travis smiled and took Raven to catch the bus, heading straight to pick up his father. After Dexter Jauncy's leg was injured, he quit his job and became a security guard at a company. The pay wasn't great—about three thousand a month—but the company covered food and accommodation, so he could save a little each month. It was lunchtime. Dexter had just accepted the last takeout order outside the cramped security office and returned inside. The room was filled with several men in security uniforms, gathered around a small table playing poker, surrounded by cigarette butts and beer bottles. Dexter rubbed his hands and walked over, forcing a smile onto his wrinkled face as he greeted the burly, tough-looking Caden. "Mr. Caden, how's your luck today?" Caden glanced up, flicked his cigarette ash, and said flatly, "Not bad today. Won a little." Hearing that, Dexter's face lit up. "Then could you pay me back some of what you owe? I have to pay my daughter for her living expenses next month." Caden's expression darkened as he heard that. He put his hand on the table and said, "Dexter, what's your deal? It's just a few hundred. Do you have to keep bugging me about it? You think I won't pay?" The two younger guards joined in, "Yeah, Dexter, Mr. Caden isn't that kind of guy. We're all coworkers here. Don't keep nagging, it's not cool." Hearing that, Dexter was furious, but couldn't afford to make enemies, so he forced a smile and said, "No, no, Mr. Caden, I didn't mean it like that. I need the money right now. The New Year's coming up, so I was hoping…" "Dexter, you need to get your priorities straight. Money isn't everything. Besides, have I ever mistreated you? Are you going to make a scene over a few hundred?" Caden's face turned sour as he spoke dismissively. "Mr. Caden's always been good to me, but I need the money now. My daughter's a senior in high school. She's about to go to college. I just don't know what else to do," Dexter said, his face flushing red. "Alright, alright, I got it. I'll pay you back next month when I get my paycheck. Now stop bothering me while I'm playing poker," Caden said, waving him off impatiently. "Okay, great, so it's settled next month," Dexter said, relieved, and hobbled away. Waiting a bit longer was fine as long as he could get his money back. "Hey, hold up!" Just as Dexter was about to grab lunch, Caden called out to him again. "Mr. Caden, anything else?" Dexter turned back. "Dexter, you haven't spent much of your paycheck this month. How about lending me another five hundred? I'll pay you back next month." Caden smirked. "What? You want to borrow more?" Dexter's smile froze, looking reluctant. Caden had borrowed five hundred in total. "Come on, don't be so stingy. I'll pay you back all at once," Caden said, throwing an arm around Dexter's shoulders. Dexter forced a smile. "Mr. Caden, I really can't. I need this money for my daughter's college tuition." "Dexter, don't be ungrateful. Remember, you only have this security job because I brought you in. Who else would hire a cripple like you if it wasn't for me? Now you won't even lend me money?" Caden's face darkened as Dexter refused. The two young guards stood up too. "Dexter, Mr. Caden's done you a huge favor. It's just five hundred. If you don't lend it, that's ungrateful." Watching them try to guilt-trip him, Dexter's anger boiled over. At first, he'd been grateful, but he later discovered that Caden's brother-in-law was the head of security. Every time Caden brought in a new hire, he'd get a bribe by deducting the salary. The two young guys were also Caden's people, and the three of them always hung out together, while Dexter did all the work. Dexter couldn't hold it in anymore. "Mr. Caden, sorry, but I can't lend you any more money. I'd like you to pay me back what you owe, or I'll report to HR!" Dexter shoved Caden's arm away and said coldly. "What?" Caden was shocked to see Dexter, usually meek, fight back. His pride wounded, Caden grabbed Dexter by the collar. "You ungrateful bastard! Report me? It wouldn't make a difference even if you went to the CEO. Don't forget, my brother-in-law runs the security department!" He reached into Dexter's pocket and said, "You're giving me money whether you like it or not!" "What are you doing?" Dexter yelled, covering his pocket. "I'm robbing you. Draco, Tony, hold him down!" Caden ordered the two young guards. "You got it!" Draco and Tony said, stepping up and grabbing Dexter, one on each side. "What are you doing? Let me go! This is illegal. You'll go to jail for this!" Dexter struggled with all his might. Caden had already pulled a thick wad of cash from Dexter's pocket, grinning as he saw it was over five thousand. "Damn, you know how to save money." Draco and Tony laughed. "Mr. Caden, should we hit up the Buckingham Club tonight?" "Tonight's on me. Bring all the girls you can get!" Caden grinned. "No problem!" Draco and Tony laughed. "Ahhh!" But as they finished talking, Dexter broke free and lunged at Caden, biting down hard on his hand and snatching his money back. The bite was so fierce that blood started pouring from Caden's hand. Caden saw his hand covered in blood and flew into a rage, pointing at Dexter and shouting, "You crippled old bastard, you bit me? Draco, Tony, beat him up!"

Chapter 6: Travis' Father

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