Chapter 2 Who Is This?

• "Ack!" Kenneth forcefully gulped and looked away. "I'm healthy, and it's hot. My clothes will be dry soon."
• Casey walked over to him confidently. "Kenneth, while you were away, I kept the house clean on my breaks."
• "Oh, so that's why it's so clean! It was all thanks to you, Case," Kenneth realized with a smile.
• "Hehe, I always wondered if you'd suddenly come back one day," Casey admitted. Her years of waiting were finally rewarded now that Kenneth, whom she had constantly followed around in the past, had returned.
• "Case, you're so thoughtful," Kenneth said warmly, his hand instinctively reaching out to touch Casey's hair. He couldn't help but feel that this young girl had endured so much over the past two years.
• "This is insignificant, Kenneth. Don't worry about it," Casey replied modestly.
• "Well, when payday comes, I insist on taking you shopping," Kenneth said.
• "No need, Kenneth. I have plenty of clothes at home," Casey automatically declined. Over the years, she had become accustomed to turning down offers, and breaking that habit was difficult. Since her father's passing, she hadn't bought anything new and was still wearing clothes from two years ago.
• "Case, don't try to deceive me. There are red marks around your waist from your clothes," Kenneth observed gently.
• "Hmm? Huh?" Casey exclaimed in surprise, glancing down after hearing Kenneth's comment. Oh my god!
• "Ahem. My hands are sensitive. I just noticed by accident that your clothes are a size too small," Kenneth explained gently.
• "Um..." Casey nodded, feeling embarrassed.
• "Case, you've been through a lot. Things will improve from now on," Kenneth reassured her.
• "Yes, I trust you, Kenneth, but I can't just take advantage of your kindness," Casey replied earnestly.
• "Of course not. When I get old, you'll take care of me," Kenneth joked.
• "Hehe, we're practically the same age. We'll grow old together," Casey replied playfully.
• "Haha, that's true. It's getting late, so get some sleep," Kenneth suggested.
• "Okay, but I'm a little scared of the dark. Can you stay with me, Kenneth?"
• What?! Kenneth took a sharp breath. Stay with Casey? Back when they were younger, it wouldn't have been a big deal. But now, she'd grown up and was so beautiful and lively! Isn't she afraid of me being a devious man?!
• "Alright, let's sleep in my room. But my clothes are a bit damp, so I'll sit on the edge of the bed to keep you company," Kenneth replied carefully.
• "Oh, Kenneth, feel free to change out of your damp clothes," Casey said, her voice becoming softer. When Kenneth saved her earlier, she had felt his body. His solid chest and abs must look incredible.
• "What are you thinking, young lady! Go to sleep quickly!" Kenneth didn't have the nerve to let her continue speaking. He couldn't bear to harm such an innocent girl.
• "Okay..." Casey replied shyly and followed Kenneth to the room.
• After lying down, Kenneth fetched a chair and sat in front of the bed.
• "Kenneth, could you tell me about your experiences abroad? It might help me fall asleep faster," Casey requested softly.
• "Alright, let me share with you..." Kenneth began to recount his experiences, speaking softly. Gradually, Casey's breathing became steady, indicating she had drifted off to sleep. It was understandable; she had been under immense mental stress. Exhaustion was only natural after her nighttime ordeal by the river.
• Dawn gradually broke, and Casey's clothes that she had laid out the previous night had dried. After changing, she hurried back home, concerned that her absence might worry her mother after waking up. Kenneth, equally concerned, quietly trailed behind her.
• To Casey's dismay, upon nearing the house, she overheard a commotion from within. "Kim, if you don't repay the money today, as per Ron's orders, I'll take your daughter away!" Ron Haslam was the one who had loaned Kim money, while Woody Cadman handled debt collection.
• Woody took particular pleasure in collecting from Kim's family, attracted by the presence of a beautiful young woman—a college student rumored to be Unisdale University's campus belle. Just the thought of the innocent and lovely Casey stirred Woody's excitement. Today, if Kim couldn't come up with the money, he would have Casey in his grasp. And then... Hehe!
• Kim leaned heavily on a crutch by the door, hunched over, her rheumatism making it difficult for her to straighten her back. Panic etched her face as she spoke weakly, "Mr. Woody, please tell Ron I'll have the money in three days at the latest." Kim, in her forties, had few wrinkles and dressed modestly. However, her face showed traces of her former beauty. She must have been gorgeous in her heyday.
• "Three days? Ron won't wait even a day! Old hag! If you can't pay, your daughter will be used as collateral!"
• "Don't you dare bully my mom!" Casey's voice rang out as she rushed to the door, seeing Woody attempting to snatch away Kim's crutch.
• "Casey, go! Get out of here!" Kim's desperate shout echoed through the tense atmosphere upon seeing her daughter.
• "Heh, do you think you can escape?" Woody sneered and moved swiftly towards Casey. Just as he reached out to grab the delicate woman, a tall figure suddenly intervened.
• "Who gave you permission to touch her!" Kenneth's voice thundered as he planted himself firmly, gripped Woody by the neck, and effortlessly lifted the hefty man, who weighed more than two hundred and fifty pounds, off the ground. Casey, startled by the sudden turn of events, quickly rushed to her mother's side and helped her sit down.
• "Gah!" Woody's face turned purple. He couldn't make a sound. His speech was choked off as Kenneth's grip tightened around his neck. He struggled helplessly, unable to utter a word or call for aid.
• "Case, who is this handsome young man? Is he a friend of yours?" Kim asked, curiosity and concern lacing her voice.
• "Mom, don't you recognize him? He's Kenneth Mohler," Casey replied with pride.
• "What! Kenneth Mohler from the Mohler family, who stayed at the top of the village?" Kim exclaimed, shocked. Hadn't he disappeared five years ago? The village chief even reported him missing!
• "Yes, Mom. Kenneth didn't disappear. He went abroad to study for five years and just returned today!" Casey explained eagerly, delighted that Kenneth had returned home and proud that he had studied abroad.
• "The Mohler family's son is back. That's wonderful! But can he handle Woody and Ron?" Kim wondered aloud.
• "Mom, I think we might've underestimated Kenneth. Look at him..." Casey and Kim watched as Kenneth effortlessly threw Woody to the ground.
• "Cough!" Woody hacked frantically, feeling like he was just a step away from facing the devil himself. The young man in front of him was downright terrifying!
• "Go back and tell Ron that the Mohler family owes him thirty thousand, and that's all he'll get. If you dare to threaten them again, I'll kill you!" Kenneth's glare was fierce, his voice dripping with anger.
• Woody trembled under Kenneth's intense gaze, sensing Kenneth's undeniable lethal intent. This guy must've taken lives—more than just one! The thought raced through his mind as he struggled to catch his breath, pulling himself up from the ground. "You're right, sir! I'll go back and deliver the message to Ron now!"
• Casey and Kim were stunned. Kenneth had effectively driven Woody off! Known as the village's infamous troublemaker, Woody had been intimidated by Kenneth's presence.