Saving the Villain

"Gosh… sometimes, I feel like I should attend to all the events he attends since I'm starting to worry about his social skills."

"You're not the only one." Cosette blinked and turned her head to the side, only to see Asher standing beside her. "I'm always worried that my dad will run his mouth and say something stupid. But as I grow older, I realized there was a reason our Quinn Holdings is still where it is."

"All I'm saying is that they're adults," he clarified with a knowing shrug. "They'll be fine. Don't worry about them. Anyway, I didn't expect you will come, but I'm glad you did. You made it this time meaningful."

Cosette let out a shallow breath. "Flattery will take you nowhere."

"To you, yes, it won't. But flattery still has its benefits," he argued confidently, facing the crowd who attended his graduation celebration. "Look at all these people. Their smiles never left their faces, but I'm sure one or two in each group were just biting their tongue to stop themselves from saying something honest."

Cosette also glossed her eyes over the faces in the function hall. Everyone was good-looking, if not, their attires were pretty and neat. Attending balls like this was not new to Cosette.

In the past, Cosette would attend balls and formal events at least once a week or once every two weeks. Those events were just like this one; it was full of important people, celebrities, politicians, and personalities. She would also sometimes host an event for the BLK Corporation that was much grander than this one.

Outsiders or those who would rarely get invited to such events would think this was the epitome of being wealthy. However, Cosette knew how draining and tiring it was to be attending all these events. She couldn't complain, though. Because these events also opened many opportunities and connections.

Asher was right.

Behind all the beautiful smiles and glamour, there would be one or two people in each group who were biting their tongues. Possibly stopping themselves to leave just when it was starting.

That was why Cosette didn't enjoy attending events now. She would rather laze around with Maxen, or hang out with him together with Luke and Remo. After all, she could act her age — most of the time, even younger — around them. There just seemed to be no problem whenever she was with them.

"You don't like parties?" Asher's voice brought her back from her trance, looking back at him. "If yes, why did you still come?"

Cosette had her arms folded, staring at him. "How can your only friend let you get stuck with people you don't even want to be with all night?"

"So you came for me?"

"Isn't that the reason for this event?"

"No." Asher shook his head mildly, smacking his lips as he gazed at the crowd again. "That's just the title in the invitation, but not everyone came because of me. Actually, it is even safe to say every single one of them came not because they want to celebrate my small win."

"They're all here because of their personal agendas. Be it broadening their connections or simply using it as some sort, like a badge of honor that the Quinn family invited them." He smiled, cocking his head back while his eyes fell on her. "Do you see anyone looking for me or trying to talk to me?"

"Are you unhappy because of it?"

"No. It's the opposite."

"Is that sarcasm?"

"Believe me or not, I'm being serious." Asher let out a chuckle, pulling his hand from his pocket as he caught a server approaching in their direction. He raised a hand when the waiter was closer, getting two glasses of champagne. "Thank you."

"I attended too many events I cannot even count, and what I hate the most is listening to endless praises from people." Asher handed Cosette the glass of champagne, which she accepted with thanks. "I know they were just trying to get on my good side, so I have a good impression of them while I'm young. Remember that time when we first met?"

"In the Academy?"

Asher laughed. "No. If my memory serves right, it was Luke's birthday."

"Oh!"

"Haha. I didn't know you still remember that."

"Huh?"

"That time." His face softened, smiling at her subtly. "In the corridor in the Academy. That was you, right? The one who called me husband of the year."

Cosette's eyes instantly went wide as her expression turned blank. Asher laughed with his teeth upon seeing the sudden shift of her countenance.

"You… still remember it?" she mumbled in horror. What she said before was a slip of the tongue because her first meeting with Asher was engraved deep in her brain. The only reason she didn't dwell on it was that it wasn't important.

At the time, Cosette was still confused and her previous illness still influenced her. So she was still acting silly — not that she wasn't silly now. Still, Cosette almost forgot about it. But now that she knew Asher remembered it and what she blurted out that time, all she wanted was to evaporate in shame.

"How can I forget?" Another short chuckle came out of his mouth. "Will you forget if someone bumps into you and suddenly calls you a wife of the year?"

The answer to that was an obvious NO.

"Ugh…" Cosette held her head, closing her eyes in distress. "Please forget what I said. I wasn't in the right mind back then and things just fly out of my mind without even going through my head."

"It's fine." His grin remained. "I think it was… cute."

Cosette peeked at him with one eye. "Don't start, Asher Quinn."

"I'm not trying to flirt. I'm just being honest." Asher shook his head, raising the glass of champagne in his hand as a gesture for a toast. "Don't worry, if you want me to forget, I will for you."

"Gosh… why would you remind me of something so embarrassing?" she rolled her eyes, breathing out in defeat.

"My bad." His brows rose, grinning. "Cheers?"

She rolled her eyes before clinking the glass with him. Little did she know, as she guided the glass to her lips, Asher was observing her from the corner of his eyes. When he was certain she was drinking, his eyes shone with mischief.

"To make you feel better and forget about that first meeting, I'll just remind you of that time in the Blac's ancestral home —"

Cough!

Asher bit his lower lips when Cosette nearly spat out her drink, holding his laughter in when she glared daggers at him.

"I'm…" he cleared his throat, trying his best not to laugh and feign innocence. "... just trying to help."

Her eyes shone with murderous intent despite his apology, making him step back.

"Cosette, it's my graduation celebration," he reminded warily, only to hear her say, "perfect. Let's save up and make this your funeral night as well."

Asher let out a nervous laugh. "Anyway, I'm really glad that you're here. I just remembered to greet a few guests. See you around, Cosette." He didn't wait for her reply as he turned around and walked away. But alas, Cosette grabbed the hem of his suit to stop him.

When Asher looked back, he knew that was a terrible prank. Definitely a bad one.