2026-09-16 19:51:08
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Chapter 26
Raphael remained seated across from his father, his expression serious."Dad, we can't simply tell Janet that Van is a bad person and expect her to believe us. Right now, she has already placed an idealized image over him. She doesn't see the real Van anymore."Ben listened carefully."To Janet, he's ambitious. He's brave. He's misunderstood. He's the man who loves her despite everything."Raphael paused. "She has put a perfect filter over him. Everything he does is interpreted in the best possible way. His tattoos become a symbol of his uniqueness. His lack of education becomes proof that he simply didn't have opportunities. His unemployment becomes something temporary. Even his rough behavior can be interpreted as confidence."Ben's face darkened. "That's exactly what worries me.""I know." Raphael leaned forward. "If we attack him directly, Janet will defend him. Every criticism we make will strengthen her determination to prove us wrong.""So what do you suggest?""Nothing complic
Chapter 25
Raphael did not back down. He looked at Van's shabby clothes for a moment before speaking in the same calm tone."I understand that you're comfortable dressing this way," Raphael said. "I'm not asking you to change who you are. But this is your first formal meeting with Janet's family."Raphael's tone was polite, almost considerate."You are here as the man Janet intends to build a future with. Naturally, my parents will want to know what kind of person you are. At the very least, I think it's appropriate for you to dress properly for dinner."Van opened his mouth. "I..."Raphael smiled. "There is no need to be nervous. I'm not asking you to wear anything extravagant. A clean shirt, properly fitted trousers, and decent shoes would be enough. If you are comfortable with a suit, even better."Van shifted uneasily. He wanted to refuse. Every instinct inside him told him to reject the idea.His clothes were part of who he was. They gave him confidence. They made him look tough. He did not
Chapter 24
Janet continued to stand firmly in front of Van, as though she were afraid Raphael would say something else that might hurt his feelings."Raphael, you can't judge him like this," she said."Judge him?" Raphael looked at her quietly."Yes." Janet's voice was filled with determination. "Just because Van didn't grow up with the same opportunities we had doesn't mean he's a bad person. He has a good character. He has ambition. He just hasn't had the opportunities you had."Van lowered his head slightly.Although he remained silent, he was secretly grateful that Janet was defending him."You can't simply assume someone has no future because he has tattoos or because he doesn't dress like you," Janet continued.Raphael glanced at Van's tattoos before returning his attention to Janet. "I never said he has no future.""But that's what it sounded like." Janet folded her arms. "Van can become successful someday. Everyone starts somewhere. He may not have much now, but that doesn't mean he won'
Chapter 23
Raphael smiled gently."So, Van," he said calmly, "Janet told me you two have been together for some time."Van swallowed. "Yes.""That's good."Raphael nodded. "What do you do for a living?"The question was simple. Yet Van immediately felt uncomfortable."I... I do a few things."Raphael's smile remained. "What kind of things?"Van scratched the back of his neck. "I have some businesses.""What kind of business?"Van opened his mouth but couldn't immediately answer."Just... different things."Raphael tilted his head slightly. "I see. So you're a businessman?""Yes." Van answered quickly.Raphael nodded. "That's good. What company do you run?"Van's face stiffened. "I don't exactly have a company.""So you work independently?""Something like that."Raphael remained calm. "Then what exactly do you do?"Van's lips twitched. "I make money here and there."Raphael did not press aggressively. His voice remained almost conversational."How?"Van lowered his eyes. "I know some people.""W
Chapter 22
Alice's eyes had already turned red. She looked at her husband, then at her daughter, and finally at Van Tyler. Her heart felt as though it were being torn apart from three different directions. "Janet, please." Her voice trembled. "Don't provoke your father anymore." Janet wiped her tears. "But, Mom—" "Please!" Alice's voice rose slightly before she immediately lowered it again. "Your father's health is not good. Can't you see how angry he is?" Ben sat heavily in his chair, one hand still pressed against his chest. Alice hurried to his side. "Ben, please calm down." "I'm fine." "No, you're not." She carefully rubbed his back. "Your breathing is already becoming difficult." Alice's eyes became even redder. She was worried about him. But she was also deeply troubled by her daughter. How had things become like this? How had her children grown into adults who could not distinguish right from wrong? She couldn't help thinking about the past. She and Ben had
Chapter 21
Janet gazed at Van with an infatuated smile. His words had completely touched her heart. To her, Van was no longer the scruffy young man everyone else saw. He was the man who had promised to build a future for her. Every word sounded beautiful to Janet. She had grown up differently from Van and had always been the little princess of the Foster family. She had been surrounded by wealth and comfort, rarely having to worry about where her next meal would come from or whether she would have a safe place to sleep. Her parents and older brother had protected her. Because of that sheltered upbringing, Janet had never truly experienced the darker side of human nature. She had never needed to understand how easily some people could lie. She did not know how skilled manipulators could identify someone's emotional weaknesses and use them to their advantage. She only knew what she felt. And she felt that Van was special. To Janet, he was the most unique man she had ever met. He
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