Saving the Villain

For the past two months, Cosette became Conrad's assistant alongside Warren, her father's executive assistant. They would follow him, deal with matters that didn't need Conrad's immediate attention, and the sort.

With how busy Conrad was, Cosette naturally thought he would become less busy because of the added brainpower, but she was wrong. If anything, Conrad became even busier, even though his daughter was helping him out.

That was partly because of the joint project between the Quinn Holdings and BLK Corporation. The only consolation they had was that Cosette and Conrad were almost together 24/7. And thus, they still had time for each other, which was the most important thing to them.

Equal to the good and positive things the father and daughter duo appreciated, there were also things they would be gloomy about. Although it wasn't as terrible, they couldn't help it.

Warren glanced at the rear mirror and sighed. The mood in the backseat where Conrad and Cosette were was too dark and gloomy. Both father and daughter wore the same sour countenance, sighing from time to time in silence.

"Master, it isn't that bad…" Warren bit his tongue when Cosette and Conrad set their eyes back on him. He cleared his throat. "I mean, fighting!"

Warren could only cheer them and shut his mouth, afraid those two would vent their frustration at him. Surely, Cosette was Conrad's daughter, and the more she tagged along with them, the more it showed the semblance.

Warren was used to Conrad's temperament, but he didn't expect Cosette would also share the same dismay just after two months of her internship. He could only shake his head as they journeyed in silence.

Meanwhile, in the back seat, the father and daughter duo let out another deep sigh. Cosette glanced at her father and could not help but sigh once more.

The reason for this gloomy mood was…

Cosette turned her head to the window when their car halted in front of a Japanese restaurant. Her lips curved down, catching a few parked black sedans owned by the Quinns.

That was right.

Today was another lunch with the Quinns. So, Conrad was naturally unhappy with it because Maynard never missed an opportunity to tease Conrad. Meanwhile, the reason Cosette shared the same sentiments as her father was because of almost the same reason: Asher.

'I really hope he is busy and is not here,' She prayed silently, hoping today was an exception and Asher wouldn't be here.

Why? Simple. Just like Maynard, Asher would never miss pressing Cosette's nerves at every turn. His insinuation and his smart mouth just never knew when to stop — or maybe he knew, but he simply didn't care.

At this point, the dreamy male lead image Cosette had for Asher was pulverized by the male lead himself! He was a jerk and there was no doubt about that.

"Cozie."

Cosette flinched when the door on her side opened from the outside. When she looked up, Conrad was already standing with his hand laid open.

"Let's go," he urged. His tone had a tinge of reluctance. Cosette smiled subtly, took her father's hand, and hitched outside the car.

"Papa." Cosette hooked her arm around Conrad's as they walked towards the establishment's entrance. "Don't kill him today."

Conrad's expression immediately turned sour. "I'll try."

"It's only two hours…" she smiled awkwardly, knowing this would be one of the longest two hours of their life.

Conrad didn't speak anymore, as the restaurant staff soon welcomed them. They didn't ask them anything and simply led them to the private section of the restaurant.

When Conrad and Cosette stepped inside the private dining room, Maynard and Asher were already inside. The father and daughter duo didn't even try to hide the sigh that slipped past their lips as they marched in, sitting on the thin cushion across from Maynard and Asher.

Unlike the gloom dominating Cosette and Conrad's visage, Maynard and Asher were akin to two bright balls of sunshine, as if they swallowed the sun to give off such blinding air.

"What's with the mood?" Maynard broke the ice with his jolly tone, grinning from ear to ear until his eyes were squinting. "Aren't you happy, my dearest best friend? It feels like we're simply meeting to settle the dowry before our children's union."

'Ha ha…' Cosette laughed internally, glancing at her father cautiously, and flinched when she heard a crack in the cup in her father's grip.

Conrad's eyes were sharp and dark, staring emotionlessly at Maynard. The latter, who never ceased to make such a joke despite knowing Conrad nearly killed him multiple times, laughed awkwardly.

Maynard laughed until it sounded awkward, ending up clearing his throat when Conrad's eyes never left his figure. "It's a joke."

When Conrad didn't budge, Maynard elbowed Asher for help. But his son feigned ignorant.

Seeing this, Cosette shook her head mildly. If this was before, she would try to appease her father. But the three of them — including Asher — already figured Maynard was a lost cause. Why would Maynard keep making such a joke when he would end up chickening out when Conrad gave his undivided attention to him?

That question was never answered and probably, it would never be answered, as they would simply believe it was all because of Maynard's wish to have a daughter. The man only had two children, Asher and Luke; one was an arrogant jerk, and the other was an arrogant brat.

Fortunately, the staff knocked and served the food before Conrad could start feasting on Maynard's fears. The next five minutes were nothing but silence.

Watching the food being served, Cosette glanced at Asher when she felt his prolonged gaze. As soon as she did, Asher smiled at her.

'Ah… god… I don't want to dislike him further, but he just has to make it hard for me,' She thought, averting her eyes to Conrad to lift her mood slightly.

For Conrad, Asher was a lot better company since the young man was undoubtedly wise and admirable at such a young age. Hence, he'd rather talk business with him than Maynard. Meanwhile, Cosette was the total opposite. For her, Maynard was way better company than Asher.

Since both sides obviously had busy morning schedules, they first had lunch to replenish their energy and brain cells. It would be a silent lunch, if not for Maynard talking — spoiling — Cosette with food. The young miss of the Blac family had a great appetite, and she was a little fond of Maynard, so she accepted everything he offered her.

Just when she thought it would be a peaceful lunch, she was wrong. With her father eating beside her, the two competed in how much they wanted to show their fondness toward her. Afraid they would fight again, Cosette stuffed her mouth with everything they put on her plate until she felt like collapsing after eating more than she could.

"Hehe… my daughter-in-law surely has a great appetite!" Maynard smiled brightly, cupping his cheek, eyes on Cosette.

"What did you say?" Conrad inquired coldly after drinking a cup of sake to wash down the little food he consumed.

"My daughter — I mean, the daughter I wished to have." Unfazed by the lowering temperature in the room, Maynard's grin stretched broader.

"Hehe…" Cosette chuckled awkwardly, wiping the side of her lips with a napkin.

"Why don't you create one, then?" asked Conrad nonchalantly.

"Why do I need to do that when I can just propose to my baby Cozie—" Maynard nearly choked in his own saliva when Conrad slammed the cup against the table. "Hey, hey~ I'm kidding~"

"I'm also kidding if my fist land in your throat... accidentally."

'Papa, please don't forget about your principles!' Cosette gasped, afraid of the growing violence in her father's mind at the frequent meeting with the Quinns.

For the next five minutes, Maynard and Conrad simply bantered before the two excused themselves to the manmade lake within the restaurant's premises. Probably to have a smoke.

As the two left, the people who were left in the private dining room were Cosette and Asher. Once the servants cleaned the table and replaced it with tea, silence fell in the room.

"Ah… I'm so full…" Not having the need to act modestly in Asher's presence, Cosette collapsed to her side and then rolled until her back was lying flat on the floor. She spread her arms open, eyes on the ceiling.

Seeing this, Asher chuckled. He picked up the cup of tea and guided it to his lips. But before he enjoy the tea, he sniffed the aroma and glanced at her who was lying across from him.

"You're wearing a skirt," he reminded her, only to get a lazy reply from her.

"I'm wearing shorts inside. So there's nothing to see." Cosette burped, feeling a little sleepy with all that food she ate. "Why does your dad keeps pressing on about marriage? Is this some sort of tactic to make my dad a felon?"

"Who knows?" Asher shrugged.

"Luke and I are too young for such a serious talk —" she yawned, failing to notice the conflict in Asher's eyes. "Wake me up when they come back."

"They won't return for at least an hour. Take a nap," he said, which she didn't argue, knowing their fathers would deal with business talk while they were out together.

Cosette yawned once more and closed her eyes, attempting to take a nap without any care, as if she was all alone in this room. Asher kept his eyes on her, smiling subtly as he cupped his cheek.

"What a beguiling nature you have," he mumbled, chuckling when her breathing grew heavier one minute after closing her eyes. "How can she sleep like that when I'm still here? You trust people too easily."

In contrast to his remarks, his smile grew gentler, like his eyes. For the past two months and their constant meetings with the Blacs, Asher had this newfound hobby of pressing her nerves just because Cosette was never afraid of retaliating using her sharp tongue.

'I also wonder… why Father keeps insisting about you and Luke when it was obvious you two weren't a match?' A shallow breath slipped past his lips, but his eyes only bore pure curiosity at Maynard's action.

It would be normal if Maynard would insist Cosette and Asher be tied in marriage. Both of them were capable — not that Asher wished for this to happen since he strongly opposed an arranged marriage. Nevertheless, it tickled his curiosity.

Asher kept his eyes on Cosette for a long time, tilting his head to the side. "Should I fix her posture?" He pondered about this and decided not to. She might wake up and misunderstand.

Asher nodded to himself before arching his brows. His eyes landed on her figure once again, sleeping soundlessly as if she was dead.

The longer he looked at her, the more his lips curl up unknowingly. He shook his head mildly, turning his head to the window to enjoy the beautiful view of the garden while drinking his tea.

"Since when…" he whispered, blinking ever so tenderly. "… did she become so relevant?" — to him?