Chapter 14 A Favor

• Jonah seized the opportunity and said, "Uncle Liam, Aunt Scarlet, thank you both for watching over my family these past three years. I will remember this kindness, and I will repay it one day."
• He could endure humiliation, but he refused to let his parents hold their heads down because of him.
• Everything he had lost three years ago, he vowed to reclaim now that he had returned. At the very least, he would not allow his parents to suffer any more disdain because of him.
• "Good, it's enough that you have such a mindset. I've always known you had ambition since you were young," Liam said, pleased.
• "Ambition?" Scarlet interjected, not waiting for Liam to finish. "Since when did being a convict become something to feel superior about?" She sneered from the side.
• "Can you keep your mouth shut? So what if Jonah was a convict? He's still my nephew!" Liam snapped, genuinely angry. "Go, bring some fruit over. Is this how you treat guests? Didn't you see my brother come in?"
• "I'm putting on a facial mask. I don't have time for you," Scarlet responded dismissively, legs crossed, patting her face leisurely without the slightest intention of getting up.
• "You..." Liam, veins bulging on his forehead, looked like he was about to lose control, but Leo quickly intervened.
• "No need to trouble Scarlet. We're fine just chatting," Leo said, trying to calm the situation.
• Liam, still seething, glared but found himself helpless. He was, after all, a live-in son-in-law, only having gained a measure of respect in the household in the past two years. His job was arranged by his wife's family, and even the house they lived in had been brought in by Scarlet from her side.
• Liam wasn't someone who forgot his roots easily.
• "Liam, the truth is, Jonah didn't serve time in prison. He was apprenticing and helping treat inmates these past three years," Leo explained, more concerned with clearing his son's name than the humiliation he felt.
• The fact that Jonah hadn't been in prison was the best news Leo had heard in three years.
• "Not in prison? That's great news!" Liam said, genuinely happy for his nephew.
• "So Jonah, are you just visiting this time, or is he staying for good?" Liam asked, shifting his gaze to Jonah, his face lighting up with a smile.
• "I'm staying for good," Jonah answered calmly. "After making my parents worry for these past three years, I need to stay close and take care of them, and Casey too."
• "Good, that's the right way to think."
• Liam beamed, pleased with Jonah's reply. "Your parents... well, let's not dwell on the past. What matters is that you work hard moving forward. Have you found a job yet?"
• "Not yet," Jonah replied, shaking his head.
• "Liam, the truth is, we came today to ask for a favor from Marilyn. She's a manager at her company, isn't she? We were wondering if she could help Jonah get a job. He didn't get his diploma, and he was fired from the hospital for fighting, so..." Leo's voice was full of pleading as he looked at Liam, wearing a smile that tried to hide his desperation.
• Jonah's heart ached. Even though his dad was asking their own family for help, he couldn't stand seeing his parents have to lower themselves like this.
• "That can be arranged..."
• "Hmph, I knew it. If it's not about borrowing money, it's about something else. All of you are vampires!" Scarlet wasted no time in sneering again.
• "Say one more word and see if I don't hit you!" Liam, now furious, pointed angrily at Scarlet, his eyes wide with rage.
• Scarlet immediately fell silent.
• "We're family, and everyone has their moments of hardship. What's wrong with helping each other? We share the same last name! I'm warning you..." Liam began, but was interrupted.
• "Liam, forget it. We don't want to cause any trouble in your household." Leo tugged on Jonah's arm, ready to leave.
• "Leo, I already promised you. I'll help. You two sit tight, I'll call Marilyn. She's probably finished her bath by now," Liam said, holding Leo and Jonah back as he knocked on a nearby door.
• "Marilyn, come out for a second. I need to talk to you. Hurry up."
• "What is it, Dad? I've got a lot of work to do."
• Soon after, the door opened, and Marilyn Reed appeared. Seeing the two additional people in the room, her face showed a flash of disdain. She spoke impatiently, "What is it? Hurry up and say it."
• "Marilyn, what kind of attitude is this? Don't you know how to greet your Uncle Leo? Where are your manners?" Liam's face darkened as he rebuked her in a low voice. "Do you have any sense of respect?"