Book To Read
Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Chapter 23 He Is My Boyfriend
“You only asked me out for lunch, Ms. Zimmerman?”
At noon, Bernice phoned Finnegan and invited him to a mid-scale restaurant.
“Are you saying that I can’t ask you out if there’s nothing important?” Bernice countered.
Her voice carried a trace of pique and mild resentment.
If an ordinary woman were to act so coquettishly, Finnegan would have remained unmoved. But considering the fact that she was a devastating beauty, he found it difficult to resist her allure. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that today is Monday, and I think you’re likely swamped with work. You shouldn’t waste time treating me to a meal.”
Smiling, Bernice assured, “If it’s you, I don’t find it a waste of time no matter what we do.”
At that, Finnegan fell silent.
The corners of his lips twitched, and he subconsciously asked, “Are you flirting with me, Ms. Zimmerman?”
No sooner had that question escaped his lips that he regretted it.
However, Bernice had already heard it. Flushing bright red, she lowered her head and muttered, “Let’s eat first. Later, I’ll bring you to a place.”
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward. Despite sharing the same table, they did not interact as they ate.
“What a coincidence, Bernie!”
Just when the meal was on the verge of ending in silence, a man who practically had branded items covered all over him appeared beside them. He was dressed in an Armani suit with at gold Rolex watch on his wrist. “I was just planning to visit you in a few days after hearing that you’ve regained consciousness.”
Whipping out ten bills in the denomination of a hundred, he tossed them down before Finnegan. “Scram! How dare you share the same table with my Bernie when you’re a nobody!”
Finnegan eyed the bills in front of him before lifting his head to stare at the man.
“Well, if you want to humiliate me, you’ve got to offer more money!”
Bernice, who had gone into a bad mood at the sight of the man, was momentarily stunned.
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Pursing her lips, she stifled her smile. If it weren’t for her sterling manners, she would have probably laughed out loud at Finnegan’s antics.
Even Jaxon Miles was taken aback for a moment.
Subsequently, he whipped out a stack of bills in the denomination of a hundred that probably totaled up to four or five thousand with a sneer. “It seems that you’re rather tactful. Take them all!”
Like a money-grubbing man, Finnegan gathered the money, then carefully placed it into his pocket. “It so happens that we’ve finished eating and are leaving. I didn’t expect to gain a few thousand before leaving. This table is yours now!”
“Let’s go, then.”
Grasping his meaning right away, Bernice stood up smilingly.
Meanwhile, Jaxon’s expression changed as it dawned upon him that he had been tricked. “How dare you both play me for a fool! Men!”
Following his roar, two bodyguards in black immediately strode over. “Mr. Jaxon!”
In a flash, Bernice’s gentle and demure self before Finnegan was all but gone. “What do you want, Jaxon?”
Jaxon yanked at his collar like a ruffian. “You’re to stay and eat with me. Men, throw this kid out. If he dares to resist, pummel him to death!”
The two bodyguards stalked toward Finnegan, upon which the diners at the adjacent table hastily sprang to their feet and backed away to avoid getting dragged into the mess.
“He’s my boyfriend, Jaxon! Stop this!” Bernice barked.
Huh?
The entire restaurant promptly fell silent.
The diners who had been watching the show scrutinized Finnegan with strange looks in their eyes. What a lucky b*stard! He doesn’t look as though he’s rich. How did he get himself such a stunning girlfriend?
Likewise, Finnegan was stupefied. When did I become her boyfriend?
When Jaxon registered the meaning of Bernice’s words, his expression darkened a shade. “He’s your boyfriend?”
Stealing a shy look at Finnegan, Bernice answered firmly. “Yes, he’s my boyfriend. We’ve just
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started dating. I’ll tell Mr. Miles if you dare lay a finger on him!”
It was clear as day that she only said that to protect Finnegan.
Unfortunately, Jaxon’s expression darkened further. He pointed a finger at Finnegan’s face and demanded, “Break up with Bernie right now and scram, kid! You’re unworthy of being with her. Also, she’s mine!”
Throwing Bernice a skeptical glance, Finnegan lifted his hand and grabbed the man’s finger. “I positively loathe it when people point at me.”
With a snap, he broke Jaxon’s finger. At once, the latter let out an ear-piercing scream.
The two bodyguards’ expressions changed drastically, and they instinctively charged at Finnegan.
Without even a backward glance, Finnegan lifted his right leg and swept it behind him in an arc, sending the two bodyguards flying. While rolling, they knocked into a few tables and overturned them. The entire restaurant plunged into chaos.
Diners who were more timid in nature even started shrieking in fear.
“Finnegan?”
Never having expected Finnegan to get physical without warning, Bernice was so anxious. that she went deathly pale.
Jaxon was Gilbert’s nephew. As his parents died early, Gilbert took him in and treated him. even better than his own son, Trey.
Finnegan had only offended Sasha not long ago, and he had then hurt Jaxon. Having no idea. that Finnegan had already cured Gilbert, Bernice racked her brain for a solution.
Tightening his grip on Jaxon’s finger, Finnegan forced the man to his knees bit by bit. Jaxon wanted to hold out, but the excruciating pain rendered him unstable on his feet, and he fell to his knees with a thud.
With such a crowd witnessing the scene, he was utterly mortified and infuriated. “My uncle is the wealthiest man in the city, Gilbert Miles! I’ll kill your whole family if you dare lay a finger
on me!”
“You’re threatening me?”
Chuckling indifferently, Finnegan exerted even greater force on the man’s finger, bending it backward completely. Jaxon’s wail resonated in the restaurant, making the crowd shudder.
At the same time, they all felt that Finnegan was doomed because he dared to make a move
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against Gilbert’s nephew.
Bernice hurried over and tugged at Finnegan. “Let go of him, quick! Mr. Miles dotes on him even more than he does his own son, Trey!”
“Oh, really?”
Smiling nonchalantly, Finnegan took out his phone languidly and rang Gilbert up, putting the call on loudspeaker.
Soon, the phone was connected, and Gilbert’s courteous greeting rang out. “Hello, Mr. Larkin. How may I help you?”
Jaxon, who was still wailing in pain, abruptly stopped short. Naturally, he was all too familiar with his uncle’s voice.
Bernice was also surprised, likely having recognized Gilbert’s voice as well.
Hmm? But when did he obtain Mr. Miles’ personal number?
“Mr. Miles, I just met someone named Jaxon Miles who threatened to kill my entire family while pointing a finger at my face. After I taught him a lesson, he claimed to be your nephew, acting all high and mighty. I merely want to verify his identity with you,” Finnegan explained
in an even tone.
“Can I talk to him for a bit, Mr. Larkin?”
Gilbert’s tone had changed, and one could sense a hint of fury in his voice.
“Is this you,
Uncle Gilbert?” Jaxon stammered when Finnegan held the phone out to him.
Silence reigned on the other end of the phone for some time before Gilbert’s voice drifted. out again. “Mr. Larkin, he’s indeed my nephew. But since he offended you, you’re free to do anything you want to him. It’s fine even if you beat him to death as long as it
appeases you!”
After saying that, Gilbert hung up. Fear instantly flooded Jaxon. “Uncle Gilbert! Uncle Gilbert!”
As soon as he gathered his wits about him, he pleaded with Finnegan. “I didn’t know you’re acquainted with my uncle, Mr. Larkin! Please spare me! I won’t do such a thing again in the future. Nor will I dare to have any designs on Bernie… I mean, Ms. Zimmerman! I beg you!”
It was true that Gilbert spoiled him, but Jaxon knew all too well that it hinged on him not crossing the man’s bottom line.
Right then, he had obviously done so after offending Finnegan. Thus, he dared not remain arrogant anymore.
If Jaxon had not made a move against him first, Finnegan would not have bothered teaching him a lesson. Seeing that the man was close to peeing his pants in fright, he grew all the more disinterested in doing so.
He swung his leg back and sent Jaxon sprawling to the ground. “Keep a low profile next time. I won’t let you off so easily next time if you harass Ms. Zimmerman or throw your weight around!”
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