Saving the Villain

The first week of the class went by in a blur, and it was already the first weekend. Cosette had plans, considering Conrad had been at home more than ever. She thought it was a good day to go out with the most important men in her life: Maxen and Conrad.

The idea elated the two men, since they had no grudges against each other. But… their excitement was soon replaced with exhaustion after visiting the umpteenth boutique.

Standing in front of Cosette, who was sitting on the couch, Maxen and Conrad let out a deep exhale. Cosette said she wanted to go shopping, but until now, she hadn't bought a single shirt for herself. Instead, Conrad and Maxen had to go in and out of the fitting room, modeling the clothes for her.

"Perfect!" Cosette clasped her hand together, eyes twinkling. Conrad was in a brown slim-fit tux while Maxen's outfit veered more into streetwear. Both looked equally cool and charming, causing her lips to stretch from ear to ear.

If not for the bright smile plastered across her face, both Maxen and Conrad would've chosen to go home. But her happiness was a huge part of their joy, and seeing her in high spirit, enjoying every second of this day, was enough for them to shun their exhaustion.

"We'll take them." Cosette cast the attendant a look, and the latter smiled politely. But before Conrad and Maxen could change to their original outfits, Cosette stopped them. "Wait. You'll wear them."

Maxen and Conrad cocked their heads to the side. Seeing their same reaction, a laugh escaped her mouth. At this point, Cosette was questioning if she was Conrad's child here or Maxen.

"I reserved a seat in a restaurant. It'll be nice if you two wear them," she explained, wiggling her brows playfully before jumping in front of them. She marched towards them — straight in between Maxen and Conrad — turning on her heel. Cosette hooked her arms around Conrad and Maxen's, grinning from ear to ear, looking at them.

"I had planned for this day out the entire night," she confessed excitedly. "That's why I prepared everything. Should we eat lunch now? I'm starving."

Conrad let out a shallow breath. "Sure."

Meanwhile, Maxen was tugging his arm to signal her to stop holding him. But Cosette simply flashed him a smile as a warning not to ruin her day.

'Is this fine?' he wondered before Cosette dragged them out of the boutique after telling the staff to deliver the other ones they bought to the address she gave them.

***

Since the mall was a luxury mall, Cosette didn't have to book a reservation at another restaurant. The mall had everything the wealthy wanted in one place. Hence, Cosette, Conrad, and Maxen reached the restaurant.

There weren't many people inside, and the staff had served them well the second they stepped foot inside. The staff guided the 'family of three' to a private dining room where the three of them could enjoy their food and keep things private.

However, just when Cosette thought everything was perfect, the next second proved things weren't always what people wished them to be.

When they reached the private dining room, the door right next to theirs opened from the inside. Maxen, Cosette, and Conrad instinctively turned their attention to their right. Much to Cosette and Conrad's surprise, the person looking back at them with wide eyes was none other than Maynard Quinn.

'Why… of all places…' Cosette mentally winced, glancing at Conrad to check his well-being. As expected, the gentleness in Conrad's eyes disappeared; it was frozen with thick ice.

Meanwhile, Maxen simply furrowed his brows. He glanced at Cosette when he noticed both father and daughter didn't move an inch. The second he did, he locked eyes with her.

'What's with that look?' he wondered, catching her glance at Conrad. Maxen followed her gaze and tilted his head to the side. He never saw Conrad look at a person with such coldness.

The first thing that came to his mind was, that Maynard Quinn was Conrad's sworn enemy. But the following events that were about to occur would prove Maxen's initial guess was wrong.

"Conrad, my friend!" Maynard's jolly voice erupted, spreading his arms wide open. "What a coincidence!"

Conrad exhaled deeply, watching Maynard approach them. "Are you stalking me?"

"What? Shouldn't I be the one asking you that type of question? I was here first!" Maynard quipped, stopping several steps away from them. His eyes glossed over Conrad's, Cosette's, and then Maxen's face. The side of his lips stretched even broader.

"My… you three look like a family of three!" Maynard continued with his nonsense, pointing at Conrad before moving it. "The father, the eldest son, and then the daughter! Isn't this a good chance for both our families to eat together? Who knows? We might be sharing more meals in the future as a family."

"Let's eat somewhere else," Conrad remarked coldly. He had already decided the second his eyes landed on Maynard. Why did he even stay for a minute to hear all this nonsense?

'I agree,' was Maxen wanted to say, biting his tongue as he didn't want to sound rude. This man was clearly bringing discomfort to Conrad, and today's agenda was for them to relax and forget things that were stressful, like the school or the company.

This man, Maxen, didn't know who exactly was someone they would want to avoid.

"Hey, how can you be so heartless?" Maynard gasped, watching Conrad hold Cosette's arm to drag his daughter with him. "You're already here. Geez! If you don't want to share a meal, then fine! You don't have to be so cold."

Cosette let out a shallow breath. If only she knew Maynard would be here, she would've reserved somewhere else. Forget about the hassle. It was more stressful if Maynard was around. For sure, this childish old Quinn wouldn't leave them alone. Their rooms were just right beside each other.

"It's alright, Papa." Cosette tugged Conrad's arm and smiled sweetly at him. "Master Quinn is not a stranger. It would be too rude to turn him away."

"My goodness… I wished I had a daughter." Maynard planted his palm across his chest, moved by Cosette's kindness. "This trait is something you definitely didn't inherit from your father."

When Maxen heard how Cosette addressed the man, he gazed at Maynard in surprise. He was a Quinn? Maxen sized up the man from head to toe, finding a resemblance between Asher and Luke.

Now, it was clear why Conrad would rather have a 'nobody' as in-laws than the Quinns. It wasn't because of Luke or Asher. It was because of this man.

'I'm not sure whether to thank him for giving me the opportunity which he was unaware of,' Maxen thought. 'Or just understand the reason Sir Conrad dislikes the sheer thought of being affiliated with them. No wonder his sons were annoying. They definitely took after him.

"Also, Master Quinn was also a part of the joint project," Cosette continued, pulling Conrad's arms. "It would be nice to have a meal with him."

"I will make you my daughter-in-law by means or foul."

"Shut up." Conrad's eyes glinted with murderous intent, making Maynard raise his hands up in surrender. He didn't know what Cosette had in mind to insist on letting Maynard join them for a meal. Cosette was just like him and had never stopped him whenever Conrad walk out on Maynard.

There must be a reason, he thought.

"Cosette had planned our today's plan." Conrad kept his pair of piercingly cold eyes at Maynard. "Even if I want to refuse to be in your presence, I do not want to ruin her mood. Don't ruin hers, or I will ruin you."

"Good lord…! Am I being threatened right now?"

"You are being given a heads up." Conrad looked away from Maynard, setting his eyes back on Cosette. "Let's get inside."

Cosette smiled. "Thank you, Papa." She then cast Maxen a look. "Max, let's go," before shifting her attention to Maynard. This time, she simply lowered her head in a bow.

"What a nice little girl." Maynard patted his chest, watching Conrad escort Cosette inside. He snapped his eyes ever so slowly when Maxen walked past the attendant, following Cosette and Conrad inside.

'Hah…' Maynard cocked his head to the side. 'So, he's the kid whom Conrad had been grooming to be his son-in-law, huh?'

He rubbed his chin, only to grin mischievously. "I'll call my son and will join you in a bit," Maynard intoned, waving at Cosette and Conrad, and without waiting for their response, he walked back to the private dining room right next to theirs.

"Things are looking interesting," mumbled Maynard, sliding the door open.

Inside was Asher sitting silently in his seat while staring at his phone. Seeing his son, Maynard shook his head in disappointment.

"My son," Maynard called, catching Asher's attention. "I have a question to ask."

"What is it?" Asher casually arched a brow, noticing the excitement in his father's eyes.

"Do you want to get married?" Asher instantly frowned at his father's question. "To the young miss of the Blac?"