Chapter 4: This Is Your Idea of an Apology?

Words : 1751 Updated : Nov 6th, 2025

"Hey, what are you doing? I wasn't finished!" Remy Fouldes was hauled off the stage by Nina Looske, half dragged, half shoved, his face tight with annoyance. "Just because you have no shame doesn't mean we don't," she said, her voice icy. That set him off. His expression darkened as he snapped back, "Who are you giving attitude to?" "So I don't even get a shred of emotional support from you, is that it?" "If you can't take care of me, then send me back." "I didn't come to the Looske family to be your doormat. Worst case, we go our separate ways and call it even." He flicked a glance toward the exit. "I'll call off the wedding." He turned as if to leave. Nina's eyelid twitched. She hurried to block him, hesitated, then forced the words out. "Sorry." Remy snorted. "You think 'sorry' is what I'm after?" "What I want is attitude." "This is your attitude?" "..." She was about to lose it. She cleared her throat and tried again, properly this time. "I'm sorry. It was my fault." She even bowed. Remy's smile curled, satisfaction blooming in his chest. Oh, that hit the spot. He was about to say something when the man from the front row came over with a wineglass in hand. He took one look at Nina's face turning purple with rage and almost burst out laughing. Nina let out a long breath and slipped away at once. Remy frowned. In the memories he'd inherited, this guy didn't exist. "Remy Fouldes, let's make it official. I'm Hugh Casson." Remy paused. Front row. Last name Casson. He got it in a flash. This was Jenos's top political scion, someone even the Looske family avoided crossing. No wonder when he cracked a joke earlier, no one dared talk back. Remy smiled. "Pleasure." Hugh couldn't help raising a thumb. "Man, I've hardly ever been impressed by anyone-you're one of them." "Supposed to be a meek live-in son-in-law, but you made the whole Looske family toe the line." "And that car-door red envelope stunt-you gave them a taste of their own medicine." "Honestly, that isn't even what impressed me most." Remy paused and glanced at him. "What do you mean?" Hugh's respect deepened. "Ten years laying low, then one breakout that blows everyone away." "That's you." "You put up with it for a decade, let them call you a lapdog, then hit back from the edge. Spectacular." He'd known Remy's reputation. In Jenos, Remy had been the notorious lapdog. He'd looked down on him before. Today changed that. "Man, with that kind of mind, you're wasted if you don't go into politics." Remy felt a flicker of helpless amusement. If the original owner were still around, the flattery alone would have sent him groveling to the moon. Shame his nerves were too flimsy; he would have died of excitement. Remy shook his head. "You flatter me. After today's mess, things won't be so easy." Hugh's eyes lit up. So Remy wasn't clueless. He understood the fallout. "Forget it. Drink." Remy lifted a hand. Aiden, the old house steward, hustled over and handed him a fresh glass with both hands, then tactfully stepped back. It wasn't that he wanted to wait on Remy; the 'eighteen golds' the Looskes still owed him hadn't shown up yet. He worried Remy might go back to his room, discover it, and kick up a fuss, so he stuck to him like a shadow. They clinked and downed their drinks. Hugh's regard for Remy grew another notch. "Now that's what I call straightforward." He tipped his chin toward the distance. Graham Looske wandered with a glass, his eyes glued to Remy. "Not even married yet and you're already a thorn in his side. How does that feel?" Remy had already noticed Graham. He shook his head. "He's a two-bit clown. I'll put him in his place and he'll behave." Aiden's hand trembled as he refilled the glass. This household was headed for a storm. Hugh smiled. "Graham runs a Security Company. Better watch yourself." Remy took a thoughtful sip and looked across the room. "His security company? Please-it's basically mine." "Besides, he won't have long." Hugh blinked. "Watch it. Say whatever you want-far as I'm concerned, I didn't hear a thing." "Relax," Remy said. "I'm a law-abiding citizen. But look at his color. He's way too flushed-fine if you're twenty, but at his age it screams he's overdoing the tonics." Hugh stared. "You can tell that?" Remy smiled. He was a seasoned traditional-medicine doctor; his diagnostic instincts were razor-sharp. "Want to bet? He'll be in the hospital within two weeks." "Though there could be an accident." Hugh frowned. "What kind of accident?" "If he keeps taking those tonics, he won't even make it to the hospital." Hugh took a slow drink, thinking. "All right. Bet. If he's in the hospital within two weeks, I owe you three favors, no questions asked." Remy grinned. "Deal. If I lose, I'm at your disposal." Brimful of confidence. They clinked again, and the wager was sealed. Nina came back in a red cheongsam. Seeing Remy and Hugh trading drinks, she wore an odd look. She knew Hugh's status well, the kind of man the Looske family bent over backward to court. Laughing and chatting with a live-in son-in-law? Unbelievable. She strode over. "You're a lucky man," Hugh teased, eyeing her approach. "Isn't she the lucky one?" Remy shot back. Hugh blinked, then burst out laughing. "Bravo, bravo, bravo!" He clapped Remy on the shoulder. "I'm off. These schmooze-fests are a pain. Two weeks from now, I'll be here to see who wins." Before Remy could speak, he set down his glass and slipped away, quick as a wink. Remy nodded to himself. The man had sharp political instincts. He never got too cozy with the business crowd. He came to show his face, then left. Nina didn't seem surprised by Hugh's attitude. She looked at Remy. "What were you two talking about?" "Nothing much," Remy said. "We bet on when your second brother dies." Aiden, hovering with a bottle, instinctively hunched his neck. Nina didn't bat an eye. She even sounded intrigued. "When does he die?" Remy leaned in close to her ear. She flinched, then, wanting the answer, gritted her teeth and held still. Her perfume drifted up. Remy breathed it in, a little drunk on the scent, and murmured, "Classified." Nina froze, the hand holding her glass trembling. She was furious. She wanted to blow up, but she swallowed it whole, gritting her teeth and holding it in. He would pay for it later. "You think if I ram my head into a pillar and die right here, I'll make tomorrow's headlines?" Remy felt her anger and asked lightly, easing the edge without giving ground. Her grip loosened at once. Then she turned to Aiden. "This is our house steward-his last name is Shui. If you need anything, go to him." Aiden stepped forward with a tight smile. "Food, clothes, whatever you need, sir." "Not many people named Shui these days," Remy said, amused. He looked Aiden up and down, then added, "Since you're Mr. Shui and you run the place, I'll call you 'Waterworks.'" Aiden: "..." Nina: "..."

Chapter 4: This Is Your Idea of an Apology?

Comments (0)