Zeb, Gina, Cindy, and Peter all laughed at Randall's words.Helen just happened to be done greeting guests when she came and heard them laughing. "What's going on? Why's everyone laughing?"Peter quickly told her, "Frank brought a present, saying it's Alfie Bronx's work… but Mr. Young called it a fake without even needing a look!"Helen frowned. "Why?""Because the only real privately owned Bronx piece is hanging in Gerald Simmons' office!" Cindy laughed, clutching her stomach and almost falling over.Helen glanced at Frank and sighed.She could understand him well enough to tell that he just wanted to show off in front of her grandfather and did not expect to be exposed."That's enough. It's just a painting—Frank was probably tricked too, right Frank?" she asked, trying to bail Frank out from the awkwardness.Frank did not play along, however. "Randall Young never even looked at it. How would he know if it's a fake? Also, I got it from Gerald Simmons' office.""Haha! You real
"Oh, it's not a problem," Gina assured Aron before wheeling on Frank. "Go on, bring your painting.""What are you doing, Mom?!" Helen snapped with a scowl—if the real Bronx was being hung in Gerald Simmons' office, Aron would definitely recognize it!Did she really have to go that far just to humiliate Frank?Gina giggled smugly in turn. "Don't you dare side with him—he's the one who kept insisting that it's real. Let's see what he's going to say now!""What…" Helen bit her lip, speechless.On the other hand, Frank remained impassive as he passed the painting to Aron, who was stunned when he saw it.Gina hurried up to him, asking, "So? Is it real?"Zeb, Cindy and Peter were staring at Frank in turn, waiting for him to embarrass himself!Aron inhaled deeply and said, "Of course it's real.""See—wait, what's that?" Gina froze before she could start mocking Frank. "Are you sure, Mr. Lynch?""Of course," Aron nodded repeatedly. "I've seen this painting every day for so long, sinc
Zeb appeared totally embarrassed—he was well aware that he did not know Gerald at all, let alone be recognized by his secretary!"Please don't shout, Mrs. Lane!" He pulled Gina to make her sit.Gina, however, beamed at him. "Oh, why are you being so humble, Zeb?"Aron turned toward Zeb just then and muttered in confusion, "But I've never heard of him.""What?"Gina, Cindy, Helen, and Peter were dumbfounded, while Gina quickly pressed, "Didn't Mr. Simmons reserve this hall for Mr. Larkin?""You're kidding." Aron snorted before turning to Frank, "Mr. Simmons only decided to make the reservation for Mr. Lawrence. Why else would Mr. Lawrence possess Mr. Simmons' privately owned painting?"Aron himself found out about that just this morning, though he did not ask questions despite his doubts."What?!"Everyone was left dumbfounded again, staring at Frank in shock while Zeb was left humiliated."I'll be going now if there's nothing else," Aron said."Please, Mr. Lynch. At least st
Zeb was going to make the bigwigs' acquaintance, but he did not even have a chance to greet them when they all turned toward Frank."Mr. Lawrence, our chief would like to invite you for an exchange at Flora Hall. You must come whenever you have the time.""Mr. Lawrence, our chief cordially invites you to…""Mr. Lawrence, my daughter is…"Everyone spoke all at once, encircling and flattering Frank to kingdom come.Exasperated, Frank could only nod and agree to their requests.Naturally, Zeb, Gina, Cindy, and Peter were all gaping, with Gina's jaw almost dropping on the floor right then. "W-Why are they being so nice to him?"Beside her, Cindy and Peter looked like they ate dung.The crowd around them who were watching were busy gossiping among themselves too."My god, who is he? All the representatives from major groups are hovering around him!""I don't know… But isn't he Helen's lowlife ex-husband?""Are you sure? A lowlife being extended so many invitations?"Meanwhile, t
Helen regretted what she said soon after and switched gears by trying to show concern for Frank. "I mean, I'm just worried about you…""Worried? What for?" Frank asked."That those people would trick you," Helen said, still convinced that Frank was too innocent for the world.After all, she believed that he had not seen the world outside in the three years that they were married, not knowing that Frank might be more experienced than she was.Frank laughed confidently in turn. "Thanks for your concern, but that's not going to happen at the moment."-When Helen finally brought Frank back to the hilltop mansion at Skywater Bay, Winter was already waiting at the door.She hurried to him, leaping into his arms when she saw him return. "Welcome back, Frank."Seeing her reaction, Frank quickly asked, "What happened?""Nothing. I was just getting bored staying home…" Winter shook her head.Helen alighted just then as well and was surprised to see Winter.Judging from her youthful a
Frank said, "I'd be near enough that way while you can make a living for yourself. What do you think?""Sure, that's good." Carol nodded repeatedly but soon paused. "But wouldn't buying a whole shop be very expensive? I don't really need it that badly…"Frank smiled. "Don't worry—I can afford it.""Then… Thank you very much. I don't know what else I can say," Carold exclaimed. "Can I have Winter with me too? Don't worry—we won't run away.""Are you still wary of me, Madam Zims?" Frank asked in surprise.He could not say that he was not hurt with how careful she was around him, especially since he was sincere.Carol shook her head and made sure Winter was not around before saying, "No… I think you know about Winter's situation too, that she's not my daughter…?""I am aware. I don't mind telling you that I showed up at your snackbar the first time to look for her," Frank admitted, having no reason to hide it since Carol was now opening up to him.Carol nodded in turn. "Yes, but W
Zeb returned home late that same night and headed to his father's study.Seeing his son, Cram put down the book he was reading and asked, "I heard Henry Lane's birthday was today. How did you do?""Terrible. I was humiliated." Zeb huffed. "Frank Lawrence stole my thunder—not only did the Chief of General Affairs' secretary come to see him, but all of the Turnbulls' associates were there as well, inviting Frank to visit them!""Fine, then put all of that behind you," Cram lectured. "Right now, you should be trying to get the Rejuvenation Pill recipe.""I would, but Helen doesn't really trust me right now." Zeb sighed exasperatedly.Cram mused to himself for a while and said, "Then it's time I stepped up."Zeb quickly warned him, "Dad, you shouldn't underestimate Frank Lawrence. He's no pushover.""Haha!" Cram laughed. "If he were really that amazing, he wouldn't be freeloading off the Lane family for three years. You just stay out of this, and think of a way to win over Helen and
Cram quickly said, "Don't reject me in a hurry, Mr. Lawrence. I'm buying the recipe, not demanding it—moreover, we can keep working together in the future. Or are you intent on having Vicky Turnbull as your sugar mommy for life? Really? A man of your talents?"Frank laughed at that.Cram, however, thought he was on to something since Frank did not argue and quickly added, "My family is no dynasty, but if you join me, we can build an empire where we reap all the benefits!""That's enough." Frank raised a hand to stop him. "I'll say it one last time—I'll never give you the Rejuvenation Pill or work with you. You can leave."Did Cram even know how influential the Turnbulls really were? Was he that stupid to believe Frank would trade the Turnbulls for him?!Cram frowned. "This is your chance at a new lease of life, Mr. Lawrence. You'd better think about it—I'm as sincere as I can be, so don't spit on my kindness."In Cram's mind, Frank had a lot to gain in working for him—a gigolo li