“However!”
Luna then reached out to smack Ned repeatedly on the cheek, chuckling. “There’s one other family that one must never underestimate too… and that’s the Janko family. Rumor has it that they’re ready to replace the Lawrences, who are falling into decline.”
Leveling a look of pity at Helen, Luna grinned. “So, do you really think that the heir to such a grand dynasty of enormous influence would go out of his way to help you with something so frivolous? That’s what I’ve been saying all along… you’ve been scammed!”
Luna then clapped Ned on the shoulder while sneering, “You really know how to put up an act, kid. How much did Frank spend hiring you? Honestly, did you forget about bringing bodyguards? I guess those clothes must have cost you your entire budget, huh?”
Ned smacked her hand away before she could reach his shirt and turned toward Frank. “Who is she, Mr. Lawrence?”
“Helen’s cousin. Just ignore her,” Frank said, shooting Luna a look of contempt.
“Oh, you’re going to keep up with the act?”
Luna snickered and planted herself on the table, grinning at Frank. “You ruined my love life, Frank, so I’ll make you pay!”
“Ruined your love life?” Frank was simply mystified.
Even Helen was shaking her head. “Luna, Frank was the one who exposed Cato McCoy, and you should be taking him. He bailed us out before we suffered major losses, and he saved your life.”
“Bleh!”
Luna spat on the floor boorishly before wheeling on Frank, glaring at him viciously. “Saved my life? Him?! No thank you! If not for him, Cato would’ve accepted me!”
“What an idiot.”
Frank was at a loss for words—how Luna’s mind worked was really an enigma.
Helen was shaking her head too. “If you don’t want to thank Frank, then fine. We’re talking shop right now, so move aside with your shenanigans.”
“No!” Luna bellowed. “Frank called Cato a scammer, didn’t he?! Well, I suspect that this man with him is a scammer too! There’s no way the real Ned Janko would come just because Frank called—who does he think he is?!”
“Really?” Ned stood up, finally having enough. “So you’re doubting my identity, woman?!”
“Exactly!” Luna scoffed. “It doesn’t matter how you bastards try to pretend—you aren’t from the Janko family. At most, you’d be a paid actor here to scam our money!”
“Heh…” Ned laughed despite himself, but soon leveled a stern look at the unreasonable woman. “Well, since you’re convinced I’m a scammer, I’ll invite Mr. Lawrence and Ms. Lane to my family’s estate for a visit. I don’t think anyone’s here busy anyway.”
“Uh, what?” Helen was hesitant.
If Ned was really who he claimed he was, things would end badly for Luna for doubting and belittling him.
In the end, she was still Helen’s cousin, and Helen could not watch as Luna walked straight to her death.
Moreover, Ned had offered them an acceptance test before taking payment.
