Saving the Villain

"The young master Quinn is surely promising in every aspect. No wonder CEO and Chairman Quinn were so confident."

"They are surely blessed with a good son."

"The Quinns have a bright future. I feel very at ease..."

Asher kept a formal smile as everyone sang praises about him. It was the Quinn Holdings annual party and like usual, everyone put him on the spot. If he could tell them to stop currying favor to him, he would've done it.

However, their family valued affiliation. He had to play by the rules since he would become the head of the family and he had to get used to this. No matter how boring and annoying it was to hear their praises like a broken record.

"Sir, I heard… oh, isn't that Mister Blac?" Asher glanced at the group of businessmen surrounding him and his father as they shifted their attention from him. "I didn't know he will attend tonight's event."

"Haha! That man disliked parties and gatherings. The last time I've seen him in a gathering is… also a party hosted by CEO Quinn!"

"Mister Quinn, how do you make Mister Blac attend your gatherings? He never showed up to any of my invitations."

"Haha… hah! Isn't that his daughter? That's new. He never brought her to any parties."

The talks around volumed down as Asher twisted his neck to look at the entrance. He didn't know if it was because he lost focus or it actually quieted down and everything sounded so distant in his ear with Conrad's appearance.

Conrad, although already in his early 40s, was undeniably dashing. But aside from the surprise of this rare specimen's attendance, everyone's attention was on the young lady entering with him. She was holding Conrad's arms, bearing this amused smile as she looked around.

Amused, Cosette turned to her father and her lips moved. The latter chuckled with his lips closed, surprising everyone.

This wasn't the first time Asher had seen Cosette and Conrad. He bumped into them not long ago and he was already aware the father and daughter duo have a good relationship, unlike the rumors. But that seemed to surprise the guests.

'I didn't know I'd see her again,' he thought. 'That strange girl, who transferred into a no-name school for whatever reason.'

"Asher." He was brought back from his trance when his father called him. "Come with me. Let's greet Mister Blac and his daughter.

"Mhm." Asher nodded, handing the glass of champagne on the tray to the approaching server. He followed his father like usual, hands shoved inside his pocket.

On their way to greet Conrad, his little brother suddenly appeared on his side grumpily. Asher cast him a side-eye while his little brother grumbled.

"This is why I hate parties." Luke clicked his tongue in irritation, obviously annoyed at the situation. "It's not fun."

"Luke."

Luke glared at his older brother before he frowned. "Why do I even have to greet the guests when they should be the one… greeting me?" He trailed off, blinking blankly as they stopped in front of Cosette and Conrad.

"Mister Blac! I'm so glad you came!" Maynard Quinn, the President of the Quinn holdings, greeted Conrad in a festive tone along with a delighted chuckle. "And you were with the young miss, I see."

"I think it is a good occasion to miss." Conrad didn't even smile as he raised his chin, standing toe to toe with Maynard.

"Ugh... why are you so imposing?" Maynard snapped his tongue, shaking his head lightly as one would misunderstand they were not on friendly terms. But just before he could add more of his thoughts, his eyes fell on the young lady standing beside Conrad as she giggled.

"Conrad, it's been a while since I've seen Cozie. Why don't you introduce her to us properly?"

Cosette smiled amicably and then glanced at her father, only for her face to contort. Her father's eyes fell on Luke and Asher, scrutinizing them coldly as if he didn't want to introduce her to them in the first place.

"Aish... will you look at him? Wanting to hog his daughter all to himself." Maynard clicked his tongue in dismay, shaking his head. In the end, Conrad simply let out a shallow exhale.

"I hadn't introduced my daughter properly. Cozie, greet President Quinn. You've met him on multiple occasions, although you might not remember him that much." Conrad cast his daughter a look and nodded encouragingly, while Maynard scrunched his nose up.

Her lips stretched wide, radiating like the morning sun, almost blinding the Quinns. "It was a pleasure to meet you again, President Quinn. My name is Cosette, but my father calls me Cozie."

"What a lovely young lady." Maynard's eyes glinted as he sported a smug grin at Conrad. The latter, who knew that look, frowned at this mischievous old friend of his.

"I hope you will like the gift I prepared for you," Cosette continued as she shifted her focus on Luke, Asher's brother. Seeing him from this distance, she barely contained herself from screaming her lungs out. Although she was already mentally screaming and fangirling.

The Quinn's genes were no joke.

Cosette subconsciously glanced at the person standing next to Luke. A sparkle beamed from behind her eyes.

'Kyaaah~!! I'm so happy to see the Quinn brothers together!!' she cheered internally while she was mentally break dancing in happiness. But it was short-lived when she flinched when Asher's cold eyes locked with hers.

"You prepared a gift for me?" he inquired while pointing at himself. "Why?"

Cosette nodded with a sweet smile. "It might be late, but it's a gift for your birthday."

"Really?" Luke's face brightened up as if he wasn't complaining moments ago. "You knew my birthday?"

"Hehe. Yes, really." She nearly melted, as Luke was truly the sweetheart. If Asher was the husband material, every reader of the Devil's Den wanted a boyfriend like Luke. He was just sweet and cute and charming.

Suddenly, Cosette, who hadn't been thinking too much of the novel aside from changing Maxen's ending, suddenly frowned. Her eyes softened while staring at the young Luke.

In the novel, the charming Luke died. It was a heroic sacrifice to save Asher, his big brother, from Maxen. She still remembered bawling her eyes when she read Luke's death. Little did she know, when she forced a smile while Luke was talking to her, Asher was watching her.

'What's up with that look?' he wondered, thinking that Cosette was just smiling sweetly, but the next second, her eyes were full of sadness.

"Alright, you sneaky old lad. Why don't we leave the kids so they can get to know each other, eh?" the mischievous Maynard hooked an arm over the stoic Conrad, wiggling his brows. "Luke, Ash, be good to Cozie, alright?"

"Yes, Father!" Luke saluted without a second hesitation.

Meanwhile, Cosette gazed at Conrad and noticed his displeasure. He was worried, so she smiled at him sweetly.

"Have fun, Papa."

"That is impossible --"

"Ugh! Come on! Let your daughter breathe!" Maynard dragged the reluctant Conrad against his will while complaining. "Why didn't I have a daughter?! I never heard my sons call me Papa! Why do you always win in life? Can you tell me the secret?"

Watching Conrad get dragged by Maynard, Cosette smiled and chuckled as the two looked closer than she initially thought. Meanwhile, both the Quinn brothers had their eyes on her, before Luke snapped her attention back to them.

"Cozie, come! I'll show you around!" he invited excitedly while she smiled from ear to ear.

"Okay!"