While Gene would have punished Cindy severely on any other occasion, he was in Frank’s presence, and he owed Frank respect. As such, he asked, “What do you think we should do about this, Mr. Lawrence?”
“-“
Before Frank could speak, Helen’s door opened, and Helen herself hurried outside, having heard the commotion in the hallway.
She almost blacked out from sheer frustration when she saw Cindy-how was she still there, causing her more trouble? Still, she must not allow herself to mess up in the presence of others, and she nodded at Frank. “Welcome back.”
Then, turning toward Gene, she asked, “And who would this gentleman be?”
Gene smiled in turn. “A paid actor hired by Frank to play Gene Pearce, the richest man on the east coast.”
The unusual introduction left Helen at a loss, but she was smart enough to connect the dots after another glance at Cindy. “Urgh, what a jinx…”
She was left rubbing her temples, but she soon masterfully flashed a smile, though a little awkwardly, greeting Gene, “Welcome, Mr. Pearce. So sorry our hospitality is lacking since we weren’t expecting you…’ Especially with Cindy causing a mess!
The thought left Helen shooting Frank an accusing glare for not calling beforehand to receive them, if only to stop Cindy from causing trouble.
Frank simply shrugged as if he could not help her here.
“Urgh…”
Helen sighed, putting away her professional smile and giving Gene an earnest look. “I’m sorry, Mr. Pearce. Cindy is my cousin, and she’s been at odds with me and Frank over some personal issues. Please don’t blame her too much…”
She then strode up, nudging Cindy and snapping under her breath, “Stay on your knees and apologize!”
“I’m so sorry I’ve disrespected you, Mr. Pearce. I won’t ever do it again.”
Cindy was always a coward in the face of death, and this occasion was no exception.
She certainly would not dare to argue now and was kowtowing repeatedly at Gene in apology.
Gene nodded in turn. “Well, I can let this slide since you’re Ms. Lane’s cousin, but…”
“But…?”
Both Helen and Cindy could feel their hearts skipping a beat.
Gene flashed a smile. “I remember Ms. Zonda here betting that if she’s wrong, she would kowtow to me… and Mr. Lawrence.”
Both Helen and Cindy understood right then, though Cindy was ready to argue.
Still, she reluctantly kneeled in front of Frank as Helen shot her a furious glare. “S-Sorry, Frank.”
Gene shook his head in disappointment right then. “There’s no sincerity.”
Humiliation showed on Cindy’s face, but she remained unapologetic, as if a completely different Cindy was apologizing to Gene. “I’m sorry, alright, Frank? I won’t mess with you again. Just forgive me, okay?”
“Mr. Lawrence?” Gene turned to Frank, asking his opinion.
Frank shook his head in disdain-he did not even care that Cindy
g to him, since she wasnet
an insignificant clown to him.
always an insignificant he
“Heh,” Gene said. “Since Mr. Lawrence has nothing to say, I will let this slide.”
Then, he suddenly narrowed his
eyes warningly. “If I ever find out
about you disrespecting Mr. Lawrence again or straying out of
line, even Ms. Lane can’t protect you from me!”
