Episode 20

"Yay, hooray! We can go out for a meal now!"

Kylie, dressed in a lovely petite princess gown, was skipping joyously around the front yard.

"My dear, I can't join you all. I still have some matters to attend to, so I must be going,"

Jenny smiled at Selena.

"Another date with your boyfriend? Oh, you. Now go!" Selena said with an affection-filled grin.

Joan had just finished showering. She slipped into new clothes purchased for her by Fane. At a glance, she looked rejuvenated. Although in her forties, she appeared younger than her age and carried herself with elegance.

Joan was stunning, and her natural grace was unmistakable. Even when usually donning her street sweeper uniform for work, her personal elegance shone through exclusively.

That was part of the reason Fane's father had fallen in love with her back then.

Unfortunately...

"Mom, you look absolutely beautiful in that dress!"

Selena beamed as she turned to Joan.

"Oh, stop flattering me. I am old!"

A blushing Joan replied.

Fiona, sitting beside, couldn't help but mumble under her breath witnessing this tableau. "Am I Selena's biological mother, or is she?" she grumbled. "Damn..."

Andrew, puffing on a cigarette, was seen furrowing his brows, evidently lost in thought.

After a moment, Andrew elbowed Fiona next to him and queried, "Hey, Fane said he can cure my leg. Do you think it's possible?"

Fiona quickly retorted, "You actually believe the nonsense spouted by Fane? Don't you know anything about him? He's just a soldier; how could he possibly heal your leg? Most likely, he'd end up breaking it instead!"

Andrew was at a loss for words.

Feeling embarrassed, Andrew realized that he couldn't refute Fiona's remarks.

Impatiently, Fiona glanced towards the bathroom and said.

"Why is he taking so long to shower? I'm starving!"

Andrew checked the time and responded, "It's only been five minutes. You took over half an hour earlier..."

Though the yard seemed old and neglected, their location was undeniably strategic.

Once Fane had showered, they began discussing dining options while strolling.

"Hmm, not that one. It's too cheap. It just won't do!"

"That one's even worse. A common buffet restaurant? Unacceptable!"

As they walked, Fiona deliberately shot Fane disdainful looks while continually goading him, "Fane, you claimed you'd be treating us to dinner. I want to dine at the most expensive restaurant. Have you brought enough money? Don't expect us to help you out after we've eaten!"

"Don't worry. Today marks the first time I'm treating everyone to a meal, so let's all enjoy it. My dear Mother-in-Law, pick whatever you like and feast to your heart's content!"

Fane then turned to Kylie in Selena's arms, extended his hand, and said, "Kylie, let Daddy hold you for a while!"

The perplexed Kylie looked towards Selena with her sharp, large eyes, seemingly seeking her mother's approval.

"Kylie, he's your father. Quickly call him dad. Let him hold you."

Selena felt a swirl of emotions, acutely aware that a child needs both parents. On the day her child was born, Selena began her long wait.

Back then, she secretly feared. She feared Fane would perish in battle.

"D-Daddy!"

Kylie reached out her hand and

called to Fane with a childish voice.

As the number one Undisputed Warrior, Fane's heart clenched at the innocent sound.

For the first time, his daughter had called him 'daddy.'

For five long years in continuous war, Fane felt himself slowly becoming a truly ruthless, cold-blooded individual. Yet, he never anticipated his heart would soften hearing his daughter sweetly call him dad.

"Let's eat here. This place looks good!"

Carrying Kylie, Fane noticed a restaurant that looked impressive. While not housed within a luxurious hotel, its style was costly and classy.

Such a restaurant would undoubtedly command high rental fees due to its prime location, implying an expensive menu.

"Hmm... You have good taste, my dear Mother-in-Law. It's romantically toned and the interior is quite nice. They even play background music. Truly, only someone who knows how to enjoy life would pick this spot!"

After Fane assessed it, he nodded in agreement.

"Well, isn't it obvious? Look who chose it!"

Fiona's expression was somewhat smug as her eyes swiftly shifted, swirling towards Fane. "Don't think for a second that flattering me will absolve you of your deeds," she sniped. "I've said it before, 10 million dollars, no less."

***

Upon noticing Fane and his group approaching, a beautiful waitress walked over to serve them.

"Please come in, everyone! Our services here are on par with those fancy hotel restaurants. Moreover, we cater to quite a distinguished clientele..."

"We'll take a table near the window!"

Fane nodded and the others quickly settled down. The beautiful waitress approached with the menu book.

"I'll order!"

Fiona snatched the menu book. Browsing through, she pointed at the lobster and said,

"This looks good. It must be over a thousand dollars per dish, right?

How many of us are there? Come on, one each for everyone!"

"Mom, why are you ordering so much? That's called wastage, not dining."

Selena was almost speechless. Apparently, her mother was truly out to trouble Fane.

"How could you say that, my daughter? Fane himself claimed he could make 30 million a month. That translates to a million a day, right? For someone like that, buying this meal shouldn't be an issue."

Fiona raised her voice deliberately.

Instantly, nearby tables began to glance their way.

"That wealthy? A million a day? Is he just bragging? 30 million a month. Doesn't that mean he can make around 300 million a year?"

A woman gasped.

Shocking indeed. But really, one mustn't judge by appearances. He looks quite ordinary, doesn't he?"

"Is that true? If he makes 30 million a month, why are they eating here?

Why not go to a five-star restaurant?"

"Do you think this place is cheap? It's definitely not. It's quite easy to spend tens of thousands here in one sitting."

More and more eyes turned towards Fane. Some looked on with envy, while others were simply curious to see someone of such means.

Fiona gloated at the attention garnered. Would Fane be utterly embarrassed if he couldn't pay later? If it came to that, he would have no pride left and certainly not be fit to marry her daughter!

"Mom, should you be speaking so loudly while ordering?"

Selena was speechless once more. It seemed Fiona truly intended to embarrass Fane publicly.

"Oh, I apologize. I am indeed loud!"

Fiona laughed, crossing her arms. "But you don't mind, right, Fane? After all, our Selena is renowned as the most beautiful girl in the entire Central Province!"

"Selena's status is priceless. If you can't even afford to buy a single dish, do you think you're worthy of her?"

"If you can't even pay for this meal, my suggestion is that you leave Selena promptly for her own good! Only Young Master Wilson and Young Master Clark could possibly make my daughter happy!"

As she spoke, Fiona fixed her direct gaze on Fane. Word by word, she continued, "Let's be honest, you would only drag her down, pulling our family along too. My advice to you is, don't... Humiliate... Yourself..."

Upon hearing Fiona's speech, Fane laughed coldly, unbothered. "Dear Mother-in-Law, how can you speak so much in one breath? Not to worry, I alone can assure Selena's happiness. I can still foot the entire bill, even if you order the whole menu tonight!"

"Haha! Let's just see if your words hold weight. Well, then I guess there's no harm in going ahead with it!"

Fiona's lips twitched with smug satisfaction as she maliciously targeted Fane, intent on teaching him a lesson in cruelty this night!

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