Chapter 9 Full Of Herself

• After leaving the funeral home, Finneas hailed a taxi and hurried toward the Jindu International Hotel.
• He didn't want Suzannah to be alone in the hotel for too long, so he felt somewhat anxious all the way.
• Glancing through the rearview mirror, the driver noticed his imposing passenger frequently checking his watch. That prompted him to press hard on the accelerator.
• They raced along the way, reaching their destination in just ten minutes.
• After paying, Finneas hurriedly ascended the stairs.
• Pulling out the room key and opening the door, he saw Suzannah shivering under the blanket.
• “Uncle Finneas, I'm scared!” Upon seeing Finneas, Suzannah immediately threw herself into his arms, quietly starting to sob.
• After all, she was only a six-year-old child who had recently experienced a major upheaval. How could she not be scared when left alone in a vast room?
• A pang of pain struck Finneas' heart. He gently lifted Suzannah into his arms, his voice tender as he reassured, “It's okay now. I'm back.”
• Throughout the entire day, Finneas didn't go anywhere. He simply stayed in the room, keeping Suzannah company.
• Fortunately, Suzannah was very well-behaved and understanding. She didn't cry or make a fuss, but quietly sat at the head of the bed reading her comic book. That saved Finneas a lot of trouble.
• The following afternoon, Frederick made a phone call. “Lord Lockwood, the mansion has been arranged. It's located at No. 27 Lumonburg Street, No. 7 Mansion in Bluebay Park.”
• Once the housing issue was resolved, everything else fell into place.
• “All right, come pick us up,” ordered Finneas.
• “Roger!” Half an hour later, Frederick drove Finneas and Suzannah to Bluebay Park.
• Since there were still some handover procedures that hadn't been completed, Frederick handed the keys to Finneas, asking him to go ahead.
• Finneas stepped out of the car, taking Suzannah's hand in his. With confident strides, they headed toward No. 7 Mansion.
• They hadn't walked more than a few dozen meters when a woman's voice echoed from behind them.
• “Oh, I was wondering why you looked so familiar. Turns out it's Mr. Lockwood, isn't it?” The woman emphasized the words “Mr. Lockwood” with a heavy tone, her voice filled with unmistakable sarcasm.
• Finneas paused in his steps, casually looking back, only to be met with a face he knew all too well.
• Back then, when they were in junior high, Stephanie had always held him in utter contempt. After all those years, her nature remained unchanged.
• “What are you doing here? Do you even know where you are?” Stephanie wore a smirk on her face, purposely swaying her Louis Vuitton bag as she spoke. The vanity that the designer brand brought her made her unusually proud.
• Back in the day, Finneas and Joaquin relied on each other for survival. Their lives were extremely impoverished, so much so that they were just a step away from having to share a single piece of clothing between them. Because of their situation, they were often mocked by Stephanie, who considered herself superior to them.
• To think we'd meet again under such circumstances, thought Finneas.
• In her view, Finneas and the little girl by his side were wearing nothing more than low-quality goods, naturally not faring well.
• Stephanie saw Finneas remain silent, so she spoke up again. “Just so you know, this is a renowned upscale residential area in Hofcaster. Only the wealthy and prestigious can afford to live here. You'd better keep your distance. Don't ruin the atmosphere here.”
• Finneas slightly furrowed his brows, a hint of annoyance brewing within his heart.
• However, on second thought, he realized he shouldn't bother with a mad dog. Thus, taking Suzannah by the hand, he treated Stephanie like a utility pole, intending to sidestep her.
• “Hey, I'm talking to you. Are you deaf or blind?” Stephanie was in a state of urgency, feeling utterly humiliated by being disregarded by the destitute man. It was as if she had been slapped in the face.
• Finneas' expression darkened, his piercing gaze suddenly swept toward her. The intensity startled Stephanie, causing her whole body to shiver. Instinctively, she took a step back!
• In that fleeting moment, she felt as if she was being stalked by a ferocious beast, her entire body breaking out in a cold sweat.
• “Why... Why are you glaring like that? Don't you have even the slightest bit of basic manners?” The look in Finneas' eyes was too terrifying, causing Stephanie to avoid his gaze. She merely mumbled softly under her breath.
• “Noisy.” Suzannah was still by his side. Finneas didn't want to frighten her. Holding her hand, he walked straight past Stephanie.
• “Reduced to such a state, and still acting so proud? You'd deserve it if you starved to death.” Stephanie watched Finneas' retreating figure, spat out fiercely, and then turned to leave.
• After they had walked for about a hundred meters, Suzannah suddenly tugged gently at Finneas' sleeve. With wide, innocent eyes, she said in a soft, childlike voice, “Uncle Finneas, I'm hungry.”
• “We'll have something delicious once we get home,” Finneas said gently.
• Suzannah always had a way of touching the tender side of Finneas' heart. When he was with her, he was no longer the resolute and ruthless deity but rather a loving elder figure.
• As he wasn't very familiar with this mansion district, he had to go quite out of his way before he found the No. 7 Mansion that Frederick had purchased.
• As soon as he arrived at the mansion's entrance, a wave of clamor and commotion reached his ears, intertwined with the deafening roar of music rolling toward him.
• Finneas looked up, noticing the bright lights illuminating the room. The spacious silhouette suggested someone might be living there.
• “What's going on?” Finneas' brows furrowed immediately. Frederick had just bought a new house, so how could there be someone inside?
• He took another deliberate glance at the room number, ensuring he hadn't made a mistake before he approached the door and knocked.
• The music within the house abruptly ceased, and half a minute later, the door was pushed open, revealing a face.
• Their eyes met!
• Finneas' brows furrowed tightly, while Stephanie looked shocked. Then, with annoyance, she demanded, “Have you been following me?”
• Why is it this annoying woman again? Finneas couldn't be bothered to engage in pointless chatter with her. His gaze swept across the room, taking in the sight of a crowd of flamboyantly dressed men and women. Tables were piled high with empty bottles of wine, and the room was a complete mess at first glance.
• “Stephanie, who is this person?” A young man, cigar clenched between his teeth, strode forward confidently.
• He casually draped an arm over Stephanie's shoulders, narrowing his eyes as he sized up Finneas from head to toe.
• The man's name was Winston, a bona fide heir to a fortune. Stephanie had expended a great deal of effort to secure a relationship with this influential figure, eventually becoming his girlfriend.
• However, before Stephanie could utter a word, a teasing voice echoed from within the house. “That's probably her poor relative. He even brought his kid along. I bet they're here to mooch off a meal!”
• “Stop spouting nonsense! I don't know him!” Stephanie's face flushed red, hastily distancing herself from any relationship with Finneas.
• It was embarrassing for to even call Finneas her classmate.
• “You all have three minutes to pack up and get out of my house!” Finneas said sternly, his voice resounding with authority.
• Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then promptly burst into uproarious laughter.
• “Haha! Stephanie, did you hear that? He said this place is his home!”
• “This is too amusing. Invite him in for a drink, will you? I suspect it's freezing outside. Perhaps the cold has addled his brain?”
• “In this day and age, you really do find all sorts of people!”
• One by one, they were laughing so hard that they were bending over. Some even laughed until they were in tears.
• Even Stephanie leaned against the door, her arms crossed over her chest, a smirk playing on her face. “Finneas, your act is rather clumsy, don't you think? Do you really believe this will impress me? Childish. I suggest you stop wasting your efforts and stop bothering me.”
• Upon hearing Stephanie's words, Finneas surprisingly found himself intrigued. “Oh?”
• He was curious to see just how full she could be of herself.
• “So, you're Finneas, huh? I don't care what your relationship with Stephanie is, but you better leave now before I call security to break your legs,” Winston sneered menacingly, his demeanor incredibly arrogant.
• As his words trailed off, a few more young men and women gathered in the room, each of their faces filled with playful amusement.
• Startled, Suzannah shuddered from head to toe, tightly clutching Finneas' hand, her face turning pale as a sheet.
• “Don't be scared. No one dares to bully you when I'm around. Now, close your eyes first.” A gentle voice floated down from above her.
• Suzannah responded with a hum, obediently closing her eyes as instructed.
• Only then did Finneas take another look at those people and said, “I'm giving you one last chance. Pack up and leave immediately, or face the consequences.”