Alexander stared directly at Drake with a faint smile.
Drake opened the door to welcome him inside, and Alexander's expression turned complex as he surveyed the
grand surroundings. It was a place adorned with gold, and it struck Alexander as improbable that Drake now
resided there.
Alexander grinned slyly. Did he truly deserve this?
"Why are you here?" Drake prodded him curtly from behind. "Shouldn't you be in school right now?"
Alexander turned to face him, his tone indifferent. "I wanted to see you, so I came."
"See me?" Drake felt surprised.
"When has a kid like you ever thought about his old man?" Drake's words were oddly accurate. Who would think
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtabout a father who only knew how to inflict pain?
"Let me be direct so you can get back to your drinking." Alexander observed the bottle in Drake's hand and then
eyed his pocket with a cunning glint. "I've got it all figured out!"
"What?"
"I saw that woman giving you money."
Drake panicked, trying to muffle his words, but Alexander swiftly sidestepped.
"I saw and heard everything! Did you think no one was around?" Alexander stated.
"You little troublemaker, stop talking nonsense!" Drake was furious and flustered. He recalled Bianca's warning—he
couldn't let a word slip.
"I'm not spouting nonsense." Alexander remained surprisingly composed. "You and that woman are up to no good
with my sister."
"You—"
"Do you want me to keep quiet, dad?"
"Huh?" Drake was bewildered. "What are you getting at?"
"This is a sensitive matter, and you can't let it out." Alexander spoke slowly, emphasizing each word. "I can keep my
lips sealed—just slip me some cash."
Drake snorted.
Alexander had noticed Bianca had just handed Drake a substantial sum of money. He had only seen this because he
was at a distance and hadn't overheard their conversation. He had concocted the conspiracy against his sister in his
own mind—he simply wanted some money.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Drake owed him—and Lena.
Alexander leaned against the door and shrugged like a young delinquent. "Dad, think about it. A bit of cash will keep
me silent. If you don't want to buy my silence, then keep worrying! I've made friends at school now. Who knows
when I might casually mention your rendezvous with that woman^"
"Fine, you little rascal!" Drake fished out some money and tossed it at Alexander, much like Bianca had done to him
earlier. "Is that enough?!"
Alexander had a vague understanding of money, but he knew these were high-denomination bills. It should be
sufficient to treat his sister to a nice meal!
Alexander smiled and crumpled the bills into his pocket. Before departing, he turned around and continued to taunt
Drake. "Dad, I'm your son. It's only fair for me to ask for some cash! If I run out, I might pay another visit!"
"You..." Drake removed his shoe and flung it at Alexander, but the quick teenager vanished without a trace.