Chapter 34 You Are A Jerk Casperâs father died young, leaving his wife, Jenna Dickson, to raise Casper and his elder sister, Josephine, alone.
Back then, Desmond, who still worked as a teacher, supported their family, including giving Casper and Josephine tuition. As a result, both their families grew very close. Even when the Larkin family got into trouble, their relationship wasnât affected at all.
During the years Finnegan was absent, the adult Casper helped the Larkin family on many occasions.
It was a fact that Finnegan was extremely grateful for. âMdm. Dickson, Casper, thank you for taking care of my family all these years. Going forward, feel free to let me know if you need anything. Iâll not hesitate to help!â
Casper patted Finnegan on the shoulder. âThereâs no need for such talk. Havenât our families. been close all these years?â
Jenna replied with a smile. âExactly. Youâre being a stranger by saying such things. Besides, ever since you were a child, you always talked about marrying Josephine when you grow up. We might very well become one family in the future.â
Despite the casual comment, Casper took it seriously and slapped his own thigh in delight. âThat would be wonderful! Finnegan and Josephine grew up together, while both our families know each other like the back of our hands. I have no objections whatsoever to Finnegan becoming my brother-in-law.
Furthermore, if they were to be married, it will be even easier to care for the elderly of both families!â
Desmond and his wife, who were worried about the Chomsky family seeking revenge on Finnegan, were elated by the idea.
Considering how close the two families were, Finnegan and Josephineâs marriage would be at match made in heaven.
Surprised at how far the conversation had digressed, Finnegan cleared his throat to change the topic.
âBy the way, Casper, what are you doing now? Why donât I see Josephine around?â
âMy grades werenât good, so I started work after high school and am currently in the electrical appliances industry.â Casper was clueless about Finneganâs attempt at changing the topic. âJosephine took half a day off to move her luggage to her rental apartment. After which, sheâll be heading back to work for the afternoon. If you want to see her, I can make arrangements for you. By the way, sheâs working at Firebird Group now. We still havenât thanked you for that.â
Due to Berniceâs frequent visits to the Larkin residence, she inadvertently got to know |||
Josephine. Therefore, upon graduation, Josephine was recruited by the former into Firebird Groupâs sales department.
The fact that Bernice even took care of his neighbors surprised Finnegan.
Secretly amazed by her kindness, Finnegan suggested to his parents, âSince itâs Rhiaâs. birthday today, why donât we get Mdm. Dickson and her family to join us for dinner?â
Quiana was visibly in low spirits. âRhia says itâs about time for her to get an internship. A dormmate who happens to share the same birthday has invited her to celebrate it together. The same dormmate also said that her brother can help Rhia secure an internship in a large company too. Anyway, I prefer to keep this incident from her so that she doesnât worry. Therefore, it would be better for us to celebrate her birthday at a later date.â
Desmond added, âSince itâs Rhiaâs birthday, donât tell her that our house has been demolished. Just let her celebrate her birthday happily.â
The concern Finneganâs parents had for their daughter intensified the rage he felt toward the Chomsky family.
Nevertheless, he didnât reveal his emotions in front of them. âFine. Iâll only give her the present I prepared when sheâs back.â
As evening approached, Finnegan was about to go out for dinner with his parents and Casperâs family when Rhiannon called.
âFinn, are you alone right now?â
Cognizant that Rhiannon wanted to speak in private, Finnegan got up to his feet and walked outside.
âWhatâs wrong?â
Rhiannon explained in a troubled tone, âFinn, can you spare me some money? I agreed to celebrate my dormmateâs birthday and we would split the cost after that. However, her brother booked a table at Goldarch Hotel, so Iâm worried that I wonât have enough to foot the bill.â
Finnegan furrowed his brows in response. âDoesnât your dormmate know about your financial situation?â
Rhiannon replied, âShe does. Thatâs why she apologized and said that it was fine for me to skip it.
However, it wouldnât look good on me to back out at the last minute after inviting. everyone out. Also, Iâm hoping that her brother can help me secure an internship.â
Having understood Rhiannonâs concerns, Finnegan reassured her, âIn that case, Iâll go over in a while.
Since her brother will be there too, itâll be fine if I show up.â
âDonât tell Mom and Dad about it. Otherwise, theyâll lecture me for being irresponsible.â
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âDonât worry. Iâve got your back.â
After cooking an excuse to go out, Finnegan got Alisha to send him to Goldarch Hotel. At the same time, he gave Lindsey a call and instructed her to drive the car he prepared as a gift straight to the hotel.
When Finnegan arrived, Rhiannon was still on the way there.
Staring at the five-star hotel, Finnegan mumbled, âWhy do I get the feeling that Rhiaâs friend. is up to no good?â
She clearly knows that Rhia canât afford it, and yet, got her brother to reserve a table at a place like this. It feels like sheâs trying to set Rhia up, As for Rhiannonâs claim that her dormmate had only found out at the last minute, Finnegan wasnât buying it.
Meanwhile, Alisha was still annoyed over having to return to Jadeborough alone. âYouâre overthinking the matter. Perhaps she really didnât know about the reservation beforehand.â
Finnegan pretended not to hear the grievance in her tone as he opened the car door. âI hope thatâs true. Otherwise, those siblings are going to get it from me.â
âDo you not want to take me with you? I can prepare a huge gift for your sister.â
Finnegan waved his hand at her. âMy sister is just an ordinary university student. The last thing I want is for you to intimidate her classmates.â
He didnât even mention Bernice for fear of putting Rhiannon in a difficult position-her friends might distance themselves from her as a result.
After rolling her eyes at Finnegan, Alisha floored the accelerator. âYouâre such a jerk for ordering me around on a whim!â
Finnegan simply smiled as he walked to the hotelâs entrance to wait.
As darkness began to fall, Rhiannon and more than ten of her classmates arrived in a couple.
of taxis.
âFinn!â
Rhiannon quickly approached Finnegan the moment she saw him. While her classmates were out of earshot, she asked, âI have done some research. It will cost at least twenty thousand for so many of us to dine here at Goldarch Hotel. Is it going to be a problem?â
Finnegan gave Rhiannon a reassuring look âDonât worry. I can afford the bill regardless of how much it is.â
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âRhia, is this your brother? Heâs really handsome!â
When the group caught up, some of the girls were enamored by the sight of Finnegan.
Rhiannon quickly regained her composure and introduced Finnegan as if nothing had happened. âThis is my brother, Finnegan. Finn, these are my dormmates, Xandra Jones and Nancy Sanchez. As for the rest, theyâre all our classmates.â
Xandra was dressed in a rather fashionable way, while Nancy was a gentle-looking girl with shoulder-
length hair.
Finnegan nodded at them. âItâs a pleasure to meet you. I would like to thank you for the care you have shown Rhia all this while.â
The well-mannered Finnegan was easily likeable.
Nonetheless, Xandra threw him a glance before averting her gaze with an unmistakable disdain in her eyes.
Instead, it was Nancy who responded with a smile, âThereâs no need to thank us. All of us care for one another.â
As Finnegan glanced at Xandra from the corner of his eyes, he wondered if she had ever bullied Rhiannon. At the same time, he invited them in. âWhy donât we head in first? Weâll just be in the way by crowding around the entrance.â
âWhy should we wheelia isnât here yet? Do you know which private room it is?â Xandra snapped. âBesides, you donât look like you can afford to share the bill. When the time comes, Ameliaâs brother will still have to pay for it, so just wait here quietly.â
Finnegan couldnât help but furrow his brows at the uncalled-for hostility.
Since when do I look like I canât afford it?
All of a sudden, Xandra exclaimed in delight, âThatâs Ameliaâs brotherâs Mercedes-Benz S- Class. I recognize it, as I sat in it before. Theyâre finally here.â
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