Saving the Villain

"A no is a no!"

Maxen and Cosette stopped by the door the moment they opened it, hearing Conrad's furious voice. Maxen's eyes dilated as he automatically gazed down at Cosette. The latter glanced at him and sighed.

"Told you," she spoke quietly, shaking her head mildly. "They will tear the house down."

Maxen unknowingly held his breath while Cosette carefully pushed the main door open. Ever since Maxen moved into this place, never once he had heard Conrad raise his voice. Matter of fact, he sometimes wondered if there was anything in this world that could faze Conrad or at least, could make him lose his cool.

Whoever that was, Maxen already thought that person was amazing.

Maxen followed Cosette quietly as the voices from the main living area grew louder and louder.

"This is my house, my territory. Therefore, my rules." Conrad stressed each syllable through his gritted teeth. "I am not letting others step foot and even live in here for a day without my permission. This is the place I built for my daughter. I wouldn't let people she barely knows shamelessly encroach her safe place, even if her grandparents already knew these people for decades."

"You know how I hate when I am being pushed into the passivity of a situation," he added with a huff, staring at Marcel and Gretchen with fire in his eyes. "If you truly want to have fun with the Stones, you can always stay in one of my properties that isn't a place where I and Cosette don't live."

"This brat —!" Marcel was about to stand up, only to let out a short noise as he put his hand on his nape. "Ah… this brat is really pushing me to my death. Ah — my blood pressure —"

Gretchen let out a deep exhale as she patted Marcel's arms, lifting her eyes at the furious Conrad.

"Dear, if you don't want to, you don't need to raise your voice," said Gretchen softly, and then faced her husband. "You also have to stop taunting your son. I already told you he will not be pleased, especially since Cosette had obsessive-compulsive disorder. She will not appreciate it, and it might only trigger her."

"So, are you saying we'll just let that thing dictate her life?" Marcel frowned at his wife. "My dearest princess left the most prestigious school and is now in a no-name school! I can only blame the pressure of being a sole heir."

Marcel then looked at Conrad angrily. "Why do you love money so much?! Can't you see building your wealth more and more will only burden my princess later on?!"

"Then you should've had more children."

"Hah!" Marcel's mouth fell open, but couldn't rebut Conrad's dry reply. That was the point. Conrad was already an only child, because Marcel thought back then, having more would only bring trouble because of money.

Marcel wanted to avoid having his children fight themselves because of money. He had seen so much of those, and thus, he chose to have one child. But Conrad should've understood the struggles of being an only child… or maybe not.

"If only my sweet boy would turn out like this, I would've had more children," murmured Marcel, only realizing even if he had more children, Conrad would eat them all alive. "Even so, don't think Cosette should be the same as you. Her con of a mother —"

"Marcel!" this time, Gretchen couldn't hold herself from raising her voice.

"You…" Conrad's eyes blazed, even more, balling his hand into a tight fist until they trembled. Yet, Marcel just huffed, but kept his mouth shut, realizing his emotions had spoken something he shouldn't have. However, there was no way Marcel would apologize even if he knew he was wrong this time.

"Grandpa?"

Just as the living area quieted down, Cosette's voice was heard. She tilted her upper body to the side, brows raised, showing no sign of anything than surprise. Maxen stood just behind her.

"Papa, are you arguing with Grandpa again?" she asked innocently, marching inside the living area with a frown. "I was excited when I heard they visit us."

"Oh, Cosette." Gretchen breathed out and smiled, pushing herself to stand up. "Your dad and grandpa are just talking to each other like usual."

'Talking to each other like usual?' Maxen then recalled how loud their voices were and even reached the main door. His thoughts, however, were put to a halt when Gretchen looked at him as soon as she reached Cosette.

"You must be Maxen," said Gretchen soothingly. "I heard a lot about you. Come. I prepared you two something to eat."

Maxen's lips parted, but his voice was stuck in his throat. All he could do was nod slightly before moving his eyes to Cosette.

"But Nana Chen, how about grandpa and papa?" Cosette inquired, turning her head in where Marcel and Conrad were glaring at each other.

"About that…"

Cosette smiled at Gretchen before skipping herself to Marcel's seat. "Baba, have you had dinner? Should we eat together?"

Marcel's hard expression softened when he shifted his eyes to his beautiful granddaughter. Cosette smiled sweetly at him until her eyes were squinting.

"Let's go, grandpa." Cosette held Marcel's arm to assist him up, while Marcel held on to his came on the other. "I kept hearing you raising your voice, Baba. You're not getting any younger. Don't worry, I'll scold my papa for you."

"Hah! Your dad just doesn't know how to respect his elders anymore."

Conrad's expression turned grimmer at his father's shameless remarks. But before he could blurt out his rebuttal, Cosette faced him.

"Papa, let's go. Our family will not be complete without you," said Cosette sweetly. "You shouldn't tell me you'll follow. It's better if I hold Baba on my left and then you on my right."

"Hah?!" Marcel scrunched his face, but unlike how Conrad always had a say in anything others say, the latter slowly rose to his feet and walked to Cosette's side.

Pleased, Cosette hooked her arm around Conrad's and then the other on Marcel's. Both men bore the same stoic expression, but with Marcel's expressing his displeasure more evidently. Seeing this, Gretchen could not help but laugh while Maxen didn't know how to react.

"Let's go, Maxen," said Gretchen, holding Maxen's shoulder gently. "Those two will be fine with her around."

Maxen nodded in understanding, walking with Gretchen, who was acting as if they knew each other for a long time. Cosette was right. Maxen worried for nothing, and fortunately, he didn't idle because he was afraid if Cosette didn't step in, the residence would crumble down if they were a second late.