Chapter 5 A Sensitive Nose

"Y-You?" Anthon was shocked and scared as he pointed at Cedric. At the same time, he started coughing up blood. "Do you fucking know who I am? How dare you—"

Cedric thumbed the candy in his hand. Faye had given it to him earlier, remarking about how sweet it was.

"I have a sensitive nose." Cedric grinned. After that, he tossed the candy toward Anthon.

When Anthon saw this, he yelped and hid behind Tracy. He shielded his head protectively.

To everyone's surprise, Cedric caught the candy just before it flew.

He opened his palm and unwrapped the sweet. With a wicked grin, he put the candy on his tongue. "Mm. Delicious."

He licked his lips as if savoring the taste of the candy.

The sight made Faye's heart catch. Her breathing quickened as she looked away. Her face had turned beet red.

"Y-You!" Anthon realized he had been made a fool of in public.

"Yes?" Cedric cocked his head.

Anthon flushed with anger. "You better take better care of your boy toy, Faye. This is my final warning!"

Faye smiled nonchalantly. "Thanks. Now I know whose door to knock on if he goes missing one day."

Cedric tossed her a playful smile.

"Let's go, babe." Faye reached out to hold Cedric's hand. The two then made to leave.

"Don't you dare take another step, Faye!" Tracy screeched. She marched over to them. "You think you can get away so easily after your friend here hurt Anthon?"

Faye gave Tracy a hard slap on the cheek before anyone could react. "Looks like someone never learned proper manners. I hope you don't mind if I teach you a lesson your mother should have."

Faye went up to Cedric. She looked into his eyes with a warm smile. "Cedric is now my husband and therefore, your brother-in-law. If you like calling your own husband 'boy toy' so much, I'm happy to return the favor and refer to your future husband as such."

With that, she left with Cedric in tow.

Only when they got into the car did she start regretting what she'd done. She had forgotten to mask her boldness.

With an awkward cough, she eyed Cedric beside her. "Um … do you think I'm too … plucky?"

Cedric was charmed by how adorable she looked. He wanted to cup her cheeks and kiss her. "A little bit," he teased.

Faye glanced up at him. She looked a little angry. "You're not going to give up on me, are you?"

Cedric thought Faye looked even cuter when she was angry. That thought made him laugh.

"Of course not." He smiled. "I just think you're cute when you're like that."

Faye felt something stir inside her. It caused her heart to stutter just the slightest. She hid her burning cheeks from the man. "Did you learn that line from your countless flings?" she huffed.

Cedric stroked his chin. "Everyone I meet can't help but fall for me, it seems."

He didn't want Faye to think he was a womanizer, though. He cleared his throat before falling silent.

"If I ever catch you trying to hit up any other woman, Cedric—"

"We're divorcing. I know." Cedric nodded solemnly.

"Good boy." Faye nodded. She retrieved a plastic card from her pocket. "Take this. Buy yourself some nice clothes and clean up the new house. You can stock and decorate the place in the meantime. I'll move in in a couple of days."

Cedric eyed the card but did not take it. "Is this part of your plan to keep me locked up at home?"

"In your dreams!" Faye shoved the card into his hands. "I don't care what job you take on, but my partner should not be looked down upon by anyone! Oh, by the way, remember to repay your friend for lunch. We shouldn't exploit people's kindness."

Cedric stared at the bank card. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Even if I'm giving you money to spend, it doesn't mean you don't have to work. A good drive and diligence can mean everything. Do you understand? Also, don't live lavishly. We only need enough to be happy."

Cedric had never been lectured like this before.

It was most peculiar indeed.

…

Upon returning to her family home later that day, Faye was met with an outraged cry.

"How dare you come back here?"

The moment those words were spoken, a glass hurled toward her. It shattered into tiny pieces upon contact. Those glass shards would have injured her if she hadn't dodged in time.

Clint stormed over to her. His eyes were bloodshot. "After all the money I invested in your education abroad, you're now ruining people's lives? I raised you better than this!"

Faye's hand balled into a fist. She eyed Tracy. Her face was sodden with tears as she stood next to her father.

Meanwhile, Anthon's face was swollen and bruised.

Things suddenly became all too clear.

"Aren't you going to hear my side of the story, Dad?" Even though Clint loved her as a child, she had the impression that he was most definitely biased now.

Why had the man who once loved her and her mother so much become the bitter shell he was today?

Faye's heart ached. She had gone abroad for her studies years ago to escape from her broken family.

"Do I need to? Just look at them. Their injuries are the best and only explanation I need!" Clint sneered. "All I'd hear from you are your filthy lies, blaming your sister and her fiancé!"

Faye's nails dug into her skin, nearly breaking it. Still, even that couldn't compare with the pain in her heart.

"You're scaring her, Clint," Lizzie said, satisfied after Faye had been scolded. She went to the man's side and held his hand.

"Tracy and Anthon are to be blamed too. Even though they had feelings for each other, the poor boy made the wrong choice when Faye pursued him. I'm sure it isn't easy for Faye now that Tracy's engaged to Anthon. That's why she did what she did."

All Lizzie's words did was make Clint even angrier.

He pointed at Faye and yelled, "She was the one who caused the wedge between Tracy and Anthon in the first place! How dare she feel upset? Tracy's too kind a soul—always caring and giving toward her. That's why Faye's turned out the way she is today!"

"Don't yell anymore, Dad …" Tracy cried into her hands. There was still a hint of dark delight in her eyes, however. "Please don't yell at Faye anymore …"

"Apologize to your sister and Anthon right now, Faye!" Clint roared.