Saving the Villain

Asher thought he would die tonight. Not just as a joke, but he felt scared for his life when Cosette grabbed the hem of his suit. He never thought he would get scared of someone in this way, but he did. Fortunately, Cosette barely tugged his clothes when a few guests approached Asher.

Thus, Cosette had no choice but to quickly let him go. Both Asher and Cosette faced the guests with smiles on their faces, feigning innocent as if everything was perfect, when in fact, Asher could only heave a sigh of relief.

One more thing that Asher never expected was to feel relief when a stranger approach him. He used to hate it with passion, knowing the other person would only curry favor with him. But now, he nearly thanked them dramatically.

"Young Master Quinn, congratulations on completing high school!" greeted the guests, smiling from ear to ear. "It's really amazing that not only you graduated but also you finished it with flying colors. Actually, my son will enter high school next school year..."

Asher maintained a smile, listening to the man rumbled on and on. He expected this type of 'icebreaker', and he was quite used to it by now. This was the reason he hated being approached by these types; they would just go on and on in circles before they get down to the purpose of why they approached Asher in the first place.

If this was before, Asher would cut them off after giving them at least two minutes of his time. He wanted to be courteous. But now, knowing that everything he has could disappear in a blink of an eye, Asher had to prolong his patience.

Asher was still young and as much as he could, he wanted to build himself. And by that, he needed solid connections and also, another source of income other than his allowance and his salary working in Quinn Holdings.

He had no idea when his real parentage would be revealed, especially when there was another person who knew his secret. Mister Devilsin was akin to a ticking time bomb. Who knew when he would be in a bad mood and reveal everything on a whim?

"The problem is, my son will take his entrance exam and I'm wondering if you can help --"

"Isn't it too soon to ask for someone a favor when he just met you?" Cosette cut off the man even before he could finish. She had heard enough, and she already knew where this was going.

"Huh?" the man furrowed his brows, shifting his attention to Cosette. Asher also knitted her brows as he gazed at her, only to see her cold countenance. "And you are?"

"Does it matter?" she cocked her head to the side. "You didn't even introduce yourself and simply went on and on about the things we aren't interested in."

"Cosette." Asher instinctively held her arm, but Cosette didn't budge as she kept her eyes on the man before her.

Apparently, even though the man didn't introduce himself, he was a familiar face. This man was a lowly businessman who luckily got the attention of another businessman. Thus, this man was able to join the big leagues. But that wasn't the reason Cosette remembered this man.

In her previous life, this man and his tenacity would lead him to much greater things. Right now, he was still currying favor and talking to Asher as if Asher was his ancestor. But in the future, this man would become an active politician. Sadly, he wouldn't cherish it and succumb to greed.

And by greed, it meant agreeing to accept a leash that Maxen Devilsin would put around him. It wasn't just him. There were many people in the government that worked for Maxen. Even the police would under his thumb.

"If your son needs help, then I can recommend great tutors to help him. However, not only it is rude to ask Asher to tutor your son, but frankly, it is shameless," she continued without a second hesitation, making the man's face turn red.

"What did you say?"

"You lack tact is what I am saying."

"You..." the man's voice and eyes shook while Cosette maintained her composure.

"Just because Asher is still young doesn't mean you can take advantage of him, Mister Tong." Cosette drew a deep breath, taking a step forward. She gazed at him from head to toe, folding her arms under her chest while keeping the glass of champagne to the side. "Do not forget that in this small world and fragile surface we are standing on, age isn't the indication to earn respect. Know your place."

At this point, the man's face was beet red, unable to believe the words that came out of this young lady's mouth. How rude! She was looking at him as if he was inferior, someone who wasn't on her level and someone who would never reach her level.

Even though everyone at this party was influential and wealthy people, and she was with Asher, there were only a few people 'his boss' -- or what he called the person who took him here -- wouldn't dare offend. Fueled by anger from his bruised ego and pride, the man ground his teeth.

"Young lady, you are too young to talk about places." Mister Tong laughed in ridicule. "Do you know who I am?!"

"How would I know when you didn't even bother introducing yourself before running your mouth?"

"You --!" Mister Tong gasped, almost having hypertension at her rudeness. "Just what family are you from, young lady? I would like to see who raised such a rude girl like you!"

"Mister Tong!"

Suddenly, Mister Tong flinched when he heard his boss's voice. When he turned his head, all he saw was the horror on his boss's face before he noticed the people his boss was with.

Maynard Quinn and Conrad Blac.

The two men whom everyone at this party would willingly kiss their shoes just to get on their good side.

"Boss Yang!" Mister Tong called in a hurry, taking hurried and small steps toward the old man, Mister Yang.

"What are you doing, Mister Tong? Causing a scene in such a place -- aren't you ashamed?" the old man whispered yell, widening his eyes to add intensity to his query.

Mister Tong frowned. "That young lady is rude, Boss Yang. The Young Master Quinn and I were having a conversation when she suddenly jumped in! I asked her nicely to allow us to converse first, but she started insulting me. The Young Master Quinn is too polite to chase her away, but she wouldn't stop bothering us, Boss Yang!"

"Mister Quinn, I am truly ashamed that this is happening," Mister Tong continued, gazing at Maynard apologetically. "However, I just cannot sit still when this young lady is harassing the Young Master Quinn!"