All the relatives, along with Samir, were intimidated by Chasel Mills' domineering gaze. They froze for a moment!
But soon, Chasel's aunt reacted, "What's wrong? Samir is just trying to help you find a job, and you're biting the hand that feeds you? You should take a good look at yourself!"
Chasel stood up, his eyes lowering as he wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin while staring at his aunt.
Instantly, his aunt felt a chill run down her spine. Under Chasel's terrifying gaze, she swallowed the rest of her words.
"Chasel, you're really disappointing!"
At that moment, Nora spoke softly, her eyes filled with disappointment as she looked at Chasel.
He had a chance and didn't know how to seize it. Ignoring her good intentions, she regretted covering for him by saying he had voluntarily dropped out. If Samir found out, he would surely think too much about it.She risked being misunderstood by her boyfriend, yet Chasel was so ungrateful. She really didn't understand what she saw in him back then.
Chasel didn't argue with Nora's words. Just then, the door of the Mills family home rang again.
"Who is it?"
Monica Anderson asked in confusion, wondering why there were so many unexpected guests today.
When the door swung open, Monica Anderson was greeted by a young, beautiful woman with a confident demeanor standing outside.
The key detail? She was dressed in a uniform.
"Um... who are you looking for?" Monica asked, feeling a bit anxious.
Could she be looking for Chasel?
"Hello, ma'am. I'm Suzaku, here to see Chasel!"
"Hello, ma'am. I'm Suzaku, here to see Chasel!" Suzaku replied, her voice clear and assertive.
At the mention of Chasel's name, Monica's expression darkened.
Could it be that Chasel had escaped from prison? A fugitive?
Not daring to stop her, Monica reluctantly let Suzaku inside.
Her gaze toward Chasel was filled with disdain.
What a disgrace! This was beyond embarrassing.
As soon as Suzaku stepped in, everyone noticed her, especially the eye-catching uniform she wore.
"She's not here to arrest Chasel, is she?" Monica's sister-in-law said with a hint of schadenfreude.The other relatives also wore grim expressions.
In that moment, everyone shared Monica's suspicion.
Was Chasel really a fugitive?
If they got caught at home, it would definitely spread throughout the neighborhood. The Mills family's reputation would be completely ruined.
Nora cast a disdainful glance at Chasel before shifting her gaze elsewhere, no longer wanting to look at him.
Samir's eyes lit up when he saw Suzaku's figure and beauty, but when he glanced back at Chasel, his expression turned to one of schadenfreude.
Only Gilberto quickly stood up and approached Suzaku, his voice trembling slightly. "Comrade, there... there must be some mistake!"
He had heard Suzaku say she was looking for Chasel.
"Hello, Uncle. There's no mistake. I'm here to report to Chasel about work!" Suzaku quickly explained as she noticed everyone's tension rising.
"Oh, I see. That's good, that's good." Gilberto let out a sigh of relief.
As he looked at Suzaku's outfit, he began to realize her identity. However, in an instant, Gilberto's eyes widened, and his tone became excited. "Young lady, you... you said you're here to report to Chasel. Does that mean... he is... also...?"
At that moment, Gilberto Mills was so thrilled that he stumbled over his words.
"That's right, I'm his subordinate!" Suzaku stood tall and confident, feeling genuine respect for Chasel' adoptive father.With that confirmation, Gilberto felt a rush of excitement.
Gilberto suddenly burst into tears of joy. His weathered face was lit up with a broad smile, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Good kid, I knew it! I knew you weren't that kind of person. All these years, I couldn't find you because you were off serving in the military and making a name for yourself. You've really brought honor to the Mills family!"
Gilberto slapped Chasel on the shoulder, overwhelmed with excitement and pride.
Meanwhile, Monica, Nora, and all the relatives stood there, dumbfounded.
Chasel had just gotten out of prison, right?
But now, he had gone into the military?
And it seemed he had even made a bit of a name for himself!
The shock was too much for them to handle.
In an instant, the face of Chasel's aunt turned a deep shade of purple.
Those who had previously mocked Chasel exchanged glances, their heads hung low.
Nora trembled slightly, looking at Chasel with a complex mix of emotions.
"Dad, I've already retired!" Chasel said with a smile, not hiding anything.
"I don't care! Retired or not, you're still the pride of the Mills family!" Gilberto exclaimed, his face still flushed with excitement.
Chasel chose not to say more.
As long as his adoptive father was happy, that was all that mattered!
"Report, Aurelian, I've cleared up everything you asked me to investigate!" Suzaku said, stepping in front of Chasel, his smile fading as he spoke seriously.
"Good!" Chasel nodded.
He then turned to Gilberto Mills and Monica Anderson. "Dad, Mom, I have some things to take care of, so I won't be able to stay with you for now. I'll come back to see you once I'm done!"
Chasel spoke with deep respect.
"Chasel, your matters are important. Don't let anything hold you back; go quickly," Gilberto urged. "And remember, if you have time, come home often! This will always be your home!"
"Don't worry, Dad. This will always be my home!" Chasel replied with a smile.
He then looked at Nora. "Nora, I wish you happiness!"
"Samir, Nora is a good girl. Don't let her down!" Chasel added, turning his sharp gaze toward Samir.
The atmosphere was chilling!
Samir felt a tightness in his chest; he could clearly sense the threat in Chasel' words. An uneasy feeling washed over him, but he didn't dare to argue back.
Chasel paid no mind to their reactions. After speaking, he turned and walked toward the door with Suzaku by his side.
His steps were steady!
That figure, not particularly muscular, suddenly appeared so dignified and imposing at that moment!
Moments later, Chasel and Suzaku vanished from everyone's sight.
It took a while for everyone to snap back to reality.
The once lively restaurant was now silent, with no one daring to pick up their chopsticks.
Especially Nora, who bit her red lip tightly, her delicate fists clenched.
Was he not that despicable criminal?
Had she misunderstood him?
No way!
Five years ago, he had indeed been arrested and sentenced to prison. That was an undeniable fact.
Yet today, the situation was laid out so clearly before her.
Regardless of the truth, in that moment, Nora felt as if she had lost something deep within her heart.
Something she could never retrieve!
Noticing Nora's dazed expression, Samir recalled how she had been keeping a slight distance from him ever since Chasel appeared. A flicker of malice crossed Samir's eyes.
But the moment of laughter was fleeting.
"I don't want to jump to conclusions about others," Nora said with a smile, "but I just want to remind everyone that the Suzaku we just saw doesn't have any shoulder insignia!"
Huh?
At her words, Nora paused.
Not just her, but her aunt and the others also began to realize.
"That's right, I remember! No shoulder insignia!" her aunt exclaimed. "Could it be that her uniform is fake?"
"I think it's possible. It's been five years; who doesn't know that? How could he suddenly become a soldier?""And even if we assume he did join, it's only been a few years. How could he possibly have subordinates? The most experienced person in the squad? He doesn't have the qualifications!"
"Now that you mention it, he does look a bit off. Just look at his skinny frame and pale face; he looks sickly, like a ghost. How could he be a soldier? I think he just wanted to save face and hired someone to play the part!"
"Absolutely! And claiming he's retired? Clearly, he's just afraid of being exposed and made up an excuse for himself."
At that moment, all the relatives had turned into little detectives, picking up on the details and speculating.
One would chime in, and another would follow.
In any case, they reached a conclusion.
Chasel was pretending.
Suzaku was someone Chasel hired to act.
Gilberto had initially wanted to scold these relatives and refute their claims.But in the end, he still didn't speak up.
These relatives, while harsh in their words, weren't entirely wrong.
Chasel, could it be that he really did invite someone to deceive them?
Even Gilberto Mills, who had always trusted Chasel, felt a twinge of doubt in his heart at that moment.
"Five years in prison didn't teach you to recognize your mistakes, nor did it help you grow. Instead, you come out and play these petty tricks."
"For the sake of your pride, you deceive your parents and refuse a hard-earned job. Chasel, you really are a lost cause!"
Nora Mills listened to her relatives criticize Chasel, feeling utterly disappointed.
Meanwhile, Chasel had already left the community with Suzaku.
Outside the community, a green jeep was parked!
Once inside, Suzaku handed Chasel a photograph.
The photo featured a beautiful woman, mature and graceful, with an air of intelligence.
"Report to Aurelian, her name is Michelle Allen. She is the daughter of the Riverborough Allen family, and five years ago, she was the one who saved you by chance!"
"Michelle Allen is still unmarried, and not only that, she has a daughter—your daughter!"
"Because of the child, Michelle has severed ties with the Riverborough Allen family and started a small company in Verdant City, raising her daughter on her own."
"Yesterday, she posted a job listing for a personal assistant. From my investigation, it turns out the only duty of this assistant is to pretend to be the child's father, occasionally playing with the child to keep them happy!
At these words, Chasel felt a jolt run through him! His eyes sparkled with intensity, sharp and commanding, as he spoke in a chilling tone, "Tell all the applicants to get lost. My daughter can only have one father—me. No one else is qualified!"
Suzaku paused for a moment before responding, "Michelle Allen seems to harbor a deep resentment towards the child's biological father, which is you."
Chasel was taken aback, and a look of guilt washed over his face. Years ago, while Michelle had saved him, it was to take him to the hospital, not to become a remedy herself. At that time, Chasel had been out of his mind, and meeting Michelle felt like grasping a lifeline in a vast ocean—he acted purely on instinct.
That night had left Michelle with memories that haunted her like a nightmare.
Finally, Chasel sighed, "In that case, I can't reveal my identity. Help me submit a resume; I'll go for the interview tomorrow!"
Michelle Allen, I'm back! I will do everything I can to make up for the pain I've caused you!