Hearing Kayden’s words, Finnian Baker’s expression turned as grim as if he had swallowed something foul.
He opened his mouth to speak, his eyes darting around nervously, before blurting out in desperation, “So what if you got in here? Does that prove this place is yours?”
As soon as he finished, a sudden idea struck him. Pointing at Kayden, he shouted triumphantly, “I’ve got it! You stole the key! That’s it-the key must be stolen. You stole the Alfredson family’s villa key. That’s how you brought us all here to show off!”
Yes!
This guy getting in here could only mean he stole the key. How else could such a grand villa belong to someone like him? The Alfredson family wasn’t stupid. Why would they give away such a luxurious villa to this young man?
“Think about it, everyone,” Finnian continued, gaining momentum. “A villa like this-would anyone just give it away? It’s a symbol of status and wealth! Even if he saved the Alfredson family’s lives, they wouldn’t give him a villa like this. I’m sure of it-he stole the key!”
The more Finnian spoke, the more convinced he became of his own reasoning. He pointed at Kayden, his tone commanding and full of arrogance. “Just admit it! How did you steal the Alfredson family’s key? If you confess now, we might give you a chance to redeem yourself.”
His words caused a stir. The group of onlookers, who had been busy taking pictures, stopped and began murmuring amongst themselves.
“I think he’s right. This guy must’ve stolen the key. The Alfredson family wouldn’t be foolish enough to give away such an expensive villa,” someone said.
“Exactly! Villas here cost billions! Who would give away something so extravagant?”
Finnian, now feeling like he’d struck gold, slapped his thigh and turned to John Baker. “John, how could you associate with someone like this thief? Don’t tell me you’re in on it too? Did you bring him here today just to humiliate me? I can’t believe it! After all these years of being brothers, this is how you repay me?”
“I know you’ve always been jealous of me,” Finnian continued, his voice rising. “Back when we worked at the same company, you couldn’t stand the fact that my performance was better than yours. You wanted to compete with me, but look what happened-you got fired! And now that I’ve bought a new villa and invited you over, you pull this stunt to try and prove you’re better than me?”
“Tell me, what’s the point? Why do you always have to compare yourself to me? I worked hard for everything I have. And you? You’re using cheap tricks to show off and seek attention! I never looked down on you, not even once, but this-this is too much!”
Finnian’s voice was hoarse now, his expression one of bitter disappointment. But beneath his facade of dismay lay a sharp blade-a weapon aimed at cutting John Baker down, severing his dignity and, most importantly, his ties with May.
Finnian’s ultimate goal was clear: to crush John’s pride so thoroughly that May would lose all patience with him. Once May turned her back on John, Finnian could swoop in and claim her for himself.
May was no ordinary woman. Once a wealthy socialite, she had maintained her beauty and elegance over the years. Compared to ordinary women, she was leagues ahead.
John Baker’s face darkened, his emotions shifting rapidly.
May, standing nearby, turned to Kayden and then back to John Baker. Her voice was cold as she asked, “John Baker, is this true?”
At that moment, May exuded an air of prickliness, as though her entire body was covered in thorns. Every word she spoke bristled with discomfort.
“I’m so disappointed in you! How could you do something like this? I understand that men have their pride-there’s nothing wrong with that. But don’t you know what’s right and wrong? I could tolerate you being poor. I could even tolerate your lack of ambition. But this? This is something I cannot forgive.”
“And you!” May’s sharp gaze shifted to Kayden. She scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. “I actually believed this villa was a gift. Turns out, it’s stolen!”
“We treated you well, yet you repay us by embarrassing us in front of everyone? Do you enjoy dragging us down with you? Is humiliating us your idea of fun?”
Emma, standing nearby, gave Kayden a look of disgust. Whatever goodwill she had felt for him before was now completely gone.
Finnian, however, was far from finished. Even now, he refused to back down.
“Come clean! Did you steal the key? If you admit it, I’ll give you a chance to turn yourself in. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to call the police!” Finnian declared, pulling out his phone to threaten Kayden.
Kayden, unbothered, shook his head. Any patience he’d had for Finnian was long gone.
“Go ahead and call the police,” Kayden said calmly. “If you think it’ll help you, do it.”
Finnian’s face twisted with anger. How could this man remain so confident? Could it be that he really was the owner of this villa?
No. Impossible.
This place was far beyond his reach. Kayden was simply putting up a final struggle.
Resolute, Finnian nodded and growled, “Fine. I’ll call the police right now! I’ll have you and John Baker arrested!”
John Baker opened his mouth to say something, but Kayden cut him off. “Trust me, Uncle Baker.”
Finnian dialed the phone angrily, speaking loudly for everyone to hear. “Hello, Captain Johnson? It’s Finnian Baker. Remember me? We had dinner together last time-I was about to open a business.”
“Here’s the situation…”
Finnian rattled off a long explanation. When he hung up, his face lit up with smug satisfaction.
“You know who I just called?” Finnian sneered, puffing out his chest. “That was Mike Johnson, the captain of the Western Frontier Guard. He’s on his way here personally to arrest you!”
Finnian beamed with pride, as though knowing Mike Johnson was the greatest achievement of his life.
“When he arrives, there’s no escape for you, no matter what tricks you try!”
Kayden spread his hands, looking relaxed. “I never said I was going to run. Let’s wait for him, then.”
With that, Kayden pulled up a chair and sat down, utterly at ease.
John Baker’s heart sank. He didn’t know what to say, but May was quick to express her disdain.
“Look at him-still pretending! Even now, he’s putting on an act. My reputation is already ruined, and now I might even get dragged into this mess. Let me make one thing clear-you two have nothing to do with me!”
She grabbed her daughter and moved to the side, distancing herself from Kayden and John.
Twenty minutes later, the police arrived.
Leading them was a tall, dark-skinned man with a powerful presence. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, his physique exuding strength. It was clear at a glance that he was a seasoned fighter, someone who had likely seen action in dangerous regions.
This man was none other than Mike Johnson, the captain of the Western Frontier Guard.