Chapter 6 A Ticket for You

• Cecilia suppressed a quiver in her voice, her emotions a tempestuous mix of anger and sorrow, threatening to spill over in tears.
• The profound mystery of why her own kin, the Faraday clan, harboured such deep-seated animosity towards her gnawed at her soul misfortune.
• Merely because she was born a daughter, her grandfather had never bestowed upon her even a fleeting glance of affection, let alone held her close. Yet, paradoxically, he had wielded unmitigated control over her life on her wedding day.
• Her uncles and cousin Quinton exhibited the same disdain, seemingly relishing in her
• And then there was Rex, a scion of William, a stark contrast to the others.
• What grievous sin had she committed to incur such pervasive antipathy from the Faradays? Was her diligent labour in the company now deemed an error?
• "Have I erred in my words?"
• Rex remained steadfast. His tone was incisive. "Tomorrow, the Faradays shall expunge all trace of you. We owe gratitude to your epileptic husband; were it not for his altercation with Quinton yesterday, we would lack cause to cast you out."
• "Leave my presence!" Cecilia directed Rex with a quivering finger, her frame trembling with indignation.
• It appears you are the one departing. Rex retorted nonchalantly. "Waiter!"
• "Sir, how may I be of service?" approached a waiter, cautious in manner.
• "I spend at least a hundred grand at your premises every year," Rex proclaimed imperiously. "I hold sway as your deity. Now, I command you: expel this woman, lest your establishment face inevitable closure!"
• The waiter hesitated, torn by conflicting duties.
• "Summon your manager at once!" Rex commanded with haughty disdain.
• Beside him, Cecilia's countenance betrayed her inner turmoil, with tears streaming down her pale cheeks.
• "Honey, how do I appear?" Larry emerged from the dressing room, resplendent in his attire, emanating a magnetic charisma that effortlessly captivated attention.
• It was an astonishing sight.
• "Goodness, he's so dashing!" Several female staff members gasped in awe, their hands covering their mouths in astonishment.
• Even Rex's companion couldn't resist stealing furtive glances at Larry.
• He was akin to a protagonist sprung from the pages of a tale.
• Larry's presence loomed over Rex, their demeanours inhabiting starkly contrasting realms.
• "My love, why the tears?" Larry approached Cecilia, observing the glint in her eyes. His gaze turned unexpectedly distant and cold.
• In the brief span it took to change attire, his wife suffered indignity. Larry would not abide by this mistreatment.
• Catching Cecilia's unwavering gaze fixed upon Rex across the room, Larry swiftly comprehended the situation.
• "You're the one who made her cry?" Larry's gaze bore into Rex.
• With that mere glance, Rex sensed a flicker of unease. "What ... What do you intend?"
• Larry shrugged nonchalantly, his words weighty. "The highway to hell calls for you, mate."
• Rex hesitated. "You ... You dare? You're merely a lowly son-in-law. If you..."
• Smack!
• The slap resonated, jolting all present. Rex spat blood, teeth clattering as Larry's strike sent him sprawling. The burning pain etched on his face made him realise the son-in-law had struck him.
• Cecilia stood transfixed. Rex's companion was equally stunned. The enchanting attendants remained rooted in place.
• "You ... How dare you strike me!" Rex struggled to rise.
• In that moment, Cecilia's complexion paled with shock. Larry had previously stirred commotion at Quinton's wedding, and now there is another altercation with Rex. Though it briefly vented frustration, consequences were inevitable.
• To Cecilia's disbelief, Larry was not yet done. He raised his foot.
• Boom!
• Before Rex could react, Larry's foot connected, sending him crashing down again. Larry's heel was firmly planted on Rex's face.
• Rex seethed with indignation. He was the second scion of the Faraday lineage, esteemed, and never subjected to such humiliation.
• "You useless scum, let me go!" he spat defiantly.
• "You seem to enjoy hurling insults, don't you?" Larry sneered icily, delivering a swift kick to Rex's abdomen. Rex was sent crashing three metres away, sprawled on the ground, unable to rise.
• "My wife is not someone scum like you can lay hands on!" Larry advanced, his resolve unyielding.
• The surrounding staff and Rex's girlfriend stood in stunned silence. The scene was merciless.
• "Larry, enough!" Cecilia cried out urgently. She knew if this continued, Larry might inadvertently take Rex's life.
• "Honey, I'll follow your lead," Larry replied obediently, approaching Cecilia.
• "Why are you defending me like this? We're only husband and wife on paper!" Cecilia's voice trembled.
• "We're not just husband and wife on paper, at least not to me," Larry smiled warmly, his earlier cold authority replaced by tenderness.
• "I ... ," Cecilia faltered, overwhelmed by the unexpected security she felt. It was a peculiar sensation, indescribable—as if the man before her could shield her from the falling sky.
• "What's happening here? Who dares disturb the peace of my establishment?" At that moment, a smartly attired young man strode in with several bodyguards, emanating an air of authority and importance.
• "Manager, you've arrived just in time. They ... they're causing a scene!" A female attendant hurriedly explained, careful not to assign blame, given that they were all customers.
• But Rex remained undeterred. "Since you're the manager, this is perfect. I am the lord here, and I demand you expel this pair of mongrels!"
• "And who might you be?" The manager's gaze turned cold as he sized up Rex.
• "Sir, he's the Faraday Group's scion, an annual spender of considerable fortune," murmured a nearby waitress in hushed tones.
• Howard Froste acknowledged with a nod, his countenance stoic and unreadable.
• "Larry, let's leave," Cecilia urged, pulling at Larry's sleeve. She comprehended the significance of a high-spending customer like the young Faraday scion. Persisting could only lead to expulsion.
• "Darling, perhaps this chap can be reasoned with?" Larry's expression softened with affection.
• Cecilia hesitated. Reasonable? Even if he were, it is clear who initiated the altercation.
• "I am the scion of the Faraday Group. My father, William, serves as its vice president. I now formally demand their expulsion!" Rex asserted, his voice laden with authority.
• "Escort them out!" Howard commanded crisply.
• "You've got nerve, lad. Stirring up trouble here. Do you not realise Keith is the man behind this mall?" Several sunglass-clad bodyguards approached Larry and Cecilia, brandishing batons.
• Keith was a retired military figure from Northwild Military Zone and a national business magnate.
• Cecilia's complexion was drained. She clung to Larry instinctively. A woman of refinement, she had never faced such a situation.
• "Cecilia, crossing me will not bode well for you," Rex declared, wiping blood from his mouth, bitterness etched on his face.
• "What's the meaning of this?" Howard interjected sharply with the guards.
• "Sir, weren't we told to eject them?" The guards exchanged puzzled glances.
• "I meant the stupid scion, you buffoons!" Howard snapped coldly, his frustration evident.
• The guards hesitated, uncertain of their next move.
• Rex fell silent.