Chapter 2 Pretty Impressive

• Daniel's smile froze at once, and a hint of bitterness laced his lips.
• This incident was undoubtedly a scar on the Hardons.
• In the past decade, countless people judged and pointed fingers at them. Even when they were already down and out, many would still backbite, saying the son of Hardon Group's CEO in Goldshore was a sex offender.
• It made Pearl and Tia unable to hold their heads high.
• "What are you on about?! Your brother was wronged!" Christopher chided upon hearing how harsh his daughter's words were.
• "How was he wronged when all the evidence was right there?!" Tia thundered with great agitation.
• Just like that, the merry atmosphere turned awkward following Daniel's arrival.
• "Dad." Daniel held Christopher's hand, gesturing for him not to get worked up.
• Tia, on the other hand, stared silently at Daniel while Gerald frowned. "Why have you come back, Daniel? Don't you think you've ruined my sister's family enough?!"
• Bridget, too, echoed her husband's words. "Yeah, don't tell me you're still wishfully thinking of marrying Tia. Do you actually expect the engagement to still be valid?!"
• Meanwhile, Aidan, who was still the center of attention a moment ago, frowned and looked at Daniel with hostility. "Engagement? What engagement?"
• "Nothing. It's just an old joke," Pearl hurriedly explained, worried that Aidan would get pissed off.
• Then, she took a loathsome glance at Daniel and said monotonously, "How can I possibly let Tia marry an ungrateful swine like him?!"
• Tia remained silent, gnashing her teeth and clenching her fists.
• She'd be lying if she said she hadn't liked Daniel a decade ago. She liked him so much that she would profess to be his future bride, and everyone also thought it was a for-sure.
• All until the press exposed his sex offense.
• Tia thought her whole world had collapsed when she found out about it, feeling like she had been betrayed. Oh, how she loathed Daniel.
• This incident became the darkest moment in her life.
• At last, just when it had diminished after a decade, who'd have thought Daniel reappeared before her eyes again, and at such an important moment at that!
• "That's right." Tia shot up from her seat suddenly. "The engagement was nothing but a joke. I have a boyfriend now, and I'll be marrying very soon. Allow me to introduce my boyfriend, Aidan Hill, the editor-in-chief of a media company and also my boss."
• While speaking, she held Aidan's arm and looked unrelentingly at Daniel. So what if you're back? I can continue to live a good life without you.
• At that, Aidan fixed his collar and stood up with a lofty gaze, extending a hand out for a shake. "Daniel Hardon, am I right? Your reputation precedes you."
• A hint of embarrassment flashed across Tia's face.
• Likewise, Pearl, Gerald, and Bridget thought Daniel had disgraced them.
• Christopher, too, frowned, but for a different reason. Why has this young man suddenly become so senseless?! He wasn't pleased with how Aidan handled this situation.
• Daniel, on the other hand, looked up and said emotionlessly, "Hi."
• However, he didn't return the handshake, for doing so would only mean admitting his 'wrongdoing'.
• Be that as it may, others thought Daniel refused to return the handshake because he felt humiliated when his dirty laundry had been brought to light.
• At that, Pearl slammed the table and condemned, "What are you, blind, Daniel?! Do you not even know how to return a handshake?! Do you think you're still something?!"
• Tia, even more so, shook her head in disappointment.
• As she saw it, Daniel had been in prison for too long, and he still hadn't changed his stuck-up ways after a decade, still thinking he was the Daniel Hardon of the affluent Hardon Family.
• Yes, Aidan's a little rude, but isn't it a fact? Have you not reflected on your ways while in prison, Daniel?
• Meanwhile, Christopher interjected. "That's enough. Come, Dan. Sit here."
• Albeit Aidan was displeased that Christopher disregarded him and ushered that criminal to sit down, he could only swallow this resentment since he still needed Christopher to let him marry Tia.
• After everyone took their seats, the air surrounding the table remained tense, and only the father and son chatted away.
• "Dan, just exactly which prison had they sent you? How come I can never get a word about you?"
• Daniel smiled, seeing his father's concerned look. "But I didn't go to prison, Dad. I got enlisted."
• "Really?!" Christopher was overjoyed.
• However, a burst of mocking laughter came from beside him. "Enlisted? Would the government allow a sex offender to enlist in the army?!" Gerald mocked.
• In other words, Daniel was lying.
• Pearl, on the other hand, was livid with rage. "Look at the good son you've been missing so much, Christopher. He lies as soon as he comes back, but he can't even come up with a good lie. Does he think we're all fools?" she said sarcastically.
• Christopher frowned. As much as he wanted to believe Daniel, it did sound too good to be true.
• "Since I'm innocent, I can naturally join the army," Daniel explained.
• Just then, Aidan spoke up. "As far as I know, even if you are innocent, it's impossible for you to join the army if you're charged guilty and have a criminal record. Of course, I can totally understand that you feel embarrassed. After all, you still need to find a job now that you're out."
• Just like that, he twisted Daniel's words completely.
• Meanwhile, Tia's gaze at Daniel grew colder by the second.
• Why do such a despicable thing in the first place when you think it's so embarrassing?! Also, you could've at least come up with a better reason, even if you want to lie. What a useless piece of trash.
• Daniel narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing the animosity in Aidan's words.
• "Since you've come back—don't say we didn't help you—Aidan, is our company hiring? Do you think you can give him a spot?" Tia asked.
• "I'm sure you know the requirement to enter our company is pretty high." Aiden pretended to be in a difficult position. "Forget about our company. Daniel's resume might not even allow him to enter a simple company."
• At that, Pearl sneered, "Serves you right!"
• However, Tia frowned. As much as she loathed Daniel, they had lived under one roof for eighteen years after all.
• Surely, Daniel had long been out of touch with society when he had been in prison for a decade. She feared the man would once again go down the wrong path, leading their family's reputation to be ruined because of him again. No way was she willing to experience the dark times for the second time.
• She'd rather help Daniel settle in than allow him the chance to ruin their family's lives again.
• "How about this? I recall the company parking lot is looking for security guards. You just need to sit and make sure nothing happens to the cars. You'll likely get 3,000 a month. How about I offer you 4,500, aye?" On his high horse, Aidan tried to make a fool out of his soon-to-be brother-in-law.
• You seriously think we're in the same league? You're nothing but a sex offender. Ha, you'll still be at my mercy after working in my company!
• On the other hand, Gerald and his wife turned grim, looking at Daniel with jealousy, for easy money like this was something they could only wish for.
• "Where are your manners? Thank Aidan!" Pearl chided.
• However, Daniel's gaze was flat, unchanging.
• Just as he was about to turn Aiden down, the restaurant manager suddenly came in.
• "I'm sorry, everyone, but this room is initially reserved for another customer. Our server had made a mistake. Please follow me to your room."
• Though it was an apology, there was not a hint of regret in his tone but rather the complete opposite.
• The sudden situation got everyone stumped.
• "The front desk didn't say anything when I made the reservation." Aidan pointed out with a frown.
• However, it only got the manager impatient. "Just do as you're told."
• His rudeness made Aiden pissed, for he had deliberately booked the best room in this restaurant to entertain the Hardons to show off his status. So how could he not feel humiliated when they were now being ordered around by a mere restaurant manager?!
• Aside, Gerald slammed the table and stood up, roaring, "What's with your attitude?! This is the son of Northside's Hill Family you're talking to. Even your boss has to lick his boots, let alone someone like you!"
• "I want to speak to your boss!" Pearl snapped. "Is this how you treat your customers?!"
• Though Aidan said nothing more, the loftiness on his face said it all.
• Tia, on the other hand, was also grim, very unhappy with the restaurant manager's attitude.
• It was only then that the manager's expression changed. It seemed that he hadn't expected Aidan to have the level of status. However, he had only restrained his rudeness a little. "Are you sure you guys want to continue sitting here?"
• Stumped, everyone looked toward Aidan.
• The manager was clearly hinting that this mystery man was no small fry.
• However, Aidan snorted. "Tell him to come and see me if he refuses to give in."
• How could he disgrace himself at a time like this?! Besides, his family was considered a mid-upper class family in Goldshore at any rate. He refused to believe someone from the elite family would come to a place like this for a meal.
• Hearing Aidan's words, the manager nodded, then left.
• Naturally, Gerald and his wife didn't miss the chance to bootlick Aidan, complimenting him for being impressive and that he was truly a Hill.
• Tia's expression had softened at this point. She then took notice of Daniel, who had done nothing this whole time, and suddenly thought he was absolutely worthless.
• She couldn't believe, as a son, he didn't say a word, wussing out like a chicken, when their parents had been outright bullied by a restaurant manager! Tia couldn't help shaking her head.
• Meanwhile, this episode got Aiden feeling complacent and glanced at Daniel with disdain.
• And you think a sex offender like you is worthy of taking Tia away from me? Perfect that you're here, or how can I make myself appear to be in a different league?!
• Daniel noticed the provocative gaze, but he only deepened his gaze a little and said nothing.
• Very quickly, the door was kicked open.
• Everyone looked over reflexively only to find the restaurant manager escorting a burly man in. The manager's face screamed adulation as he pointed straight toward Aidan. "Mr. Tigre, it's him."
• Mr. Tigre?! Apart from Daniel, everyone was terror-stricken by the name, for the only person to be addressed so in Goldshore was none other than the kingpin of Westhill—Raymond 'Tigre' Estrada!!!
• He was a big shot that even the Lowell Family had to behave respectfully toward, so what more, the Hill Family?!
• Who'd have thought the reservation was initially made to Tigre Estrada?!
• Meanwhile, Tigre narrowed his eyes slightly and swept his gaze across everyone, asking with aloofness, "You're from the Hill Family?"
• Everyone's face paled, feeling as though a knife was pressed against their back, causing them to break out in a cold sweat.
• Aidan was, even more so, petrified, his legs shaking involuntarily.
• Though he had only returned not too long ago, he had heard plenty of Tigre's reputation from his family. They had even warned him not to cross the kingpin, for he was a madman that could do just about anything!
• "T-That's right." Aidan gulped nervously, his heart racing.
• Gerald and his wife, on the other hand, lowered their heads in fear this time, terrified that they'd be tied to this.
• However, Christopher took a deep breath and stood up. "Mr. Tigre, this is a mistake."
• "Was I talking to you?" Tigre looked toward Christopher with an absolutely horrifying gaze.
• Suddenly, a wave of frostiness enveloped the entire private room, causing Tigre's expression to change in a split second. The hair on the back of his neck immediately stood as a powerful sense of danger rose within him.
• Then, he heard a deadpan tone reverberate through the room. "You're pretty impressive, aren't you, Raymond Estrada?"