Chapter 187
Chapter 187
The evening wind was cold and sharp. A hunched beggar in tattered clothes stood at the door. His hair was gray and messy, his face covered in dirt, his skin lined with deep wrinkles. His clothes were ragged, and he looked pitiful and miserable.
Kane assumed he was just a homeless old man from the neighborhood looking for food. Being kind, he showed no disgust and said calmly, “You’re here for something to eat, right?”
He turned, grabbed a few nice pastries and some packed food from a nearby box, and handed it over generously. “Take this. It should last you a few meals.”
He expected the man to thank him and take the food, but the moment Kane reached out, the beggar suddenly looked up and grabbed Isabelle’s arm with surprising force and urgency.
Isabelle was caught off guard and frowned in shock.
Kane’s eyes turned cold. Without giving the man a chance to react, he kicked him hard. The beggar cried out and flew backward seven or eight meters, slamming into the ground in a cloud of dust.
The impact left him curled up in pain, shaking and unable to get up.
Kane said coldly, “I offered you food out of kindness, and instead of being grateful, you grabbed someone? You’re really asking for it.”
The beggar on the ground, covered in dirt and looking wretched, flushed red. He slowly raised a trembling hand and wiped the thick grime from his face, once, twice, three times. As the dirt came off, an old, familiar, wrinkled face appeared.
Kane froze the moment he saw it.
Isabelle’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The beggar was Frank—the same man who had once kicked Isabelle out of the family.
She stared at him, stunned. “Grandpa?”
Kane looked surprised too.
The night air was cool. Frank struggled to his feet, covered in dust, his back hunched, looking pathetic. He looked at Isabelle with red eyes full of guilt and regret.
“Isabelle, I’m sorry. You have no idea how hard these past three months have been for me. I made a mistake back then, but I never thought my own Evelyn would be so cruel. She took over the entire Spencer family as the head and now she and her father control everything. They threw me out. I have nowhere to go.”
Isabelle was shocked. She couldn’t believe Evelyn would even turn on Frank, the grandfather who had always favored her.
“How could she do that? You’re her grandfather,” Isabelle said, feeling conflicted.
Kane gave a cold laugh. “This is what he deserves.”
“Frank, you spent your whole life favoring Evelyn and pushing Isabelle down. You gave her everything and kicked Isabelle out. Now that Evelyn’s done the same to you, it’s just payback.”
Frank didn’t get angry. Instead, tears streamed down his face. He nodded weakly, full of regret. “You’re right. It’s all my fault. I brought this on myself. My biggest mistake was always siding with Evelyn.”
He looked at Isabelle with guilt. “Isabelle, I know I was wrong. I was selfish and unfair to you. Can you forgive me?”
Seeing him cry and humble himself like this, Isabelle felt her heart soften. She knew how proud Frank used to be—he never apologized to anyone. This was a huge step for him.
But Kane stayed alert. He knew Frank was just playing the victim. The man had always been selfish and biased. He wasn’t truly sorry—he just had nowhere else to go and wanted to latch onto Isabelle.
Frank saw Isabelle wavering and quickly pressed on, sounding even more pitiful. “Isabelle, I know you’re kind. I have no home, no money, nowhere to stay. Can you let me live here? Just give me a place to spend my last years.”
Isabelle’s heart gave in, and she almost agreed. But Kane gently grabbed her wrist and whispered, “Don’t. We can’t take him in.”
Those words snapped her out of it. She realized Frank was trying to manipulate her. If they let him stay, there would be endless trouble later. Still, kicking him out completely felt too harsh.
After a moment, she looked at Frank and said firmly but kindly, “Grandpa, it’s not convenient for you to stay here. I’ll book you a hotel. I’ll cover everything—you can stay there.”
Frank’s face stiffened. He wanted to live in the villa and enjoy the easy life, not be stuck in a hotel alone. He tried again, pleading, “Isabelle, hotels are too expensive. I can just stay here. I won’t take up space, and I can help with chores. I’ll behave, I promise.”
Isabelle shook her head. “No. It’s already arranged. You’re going to the hotel.”
Frank knew she wouldn’t change her mind, so he gave in for now. “Fine. I’ll go to the hotel.”
Kane glanced at him, then turned to Isabelle. “You go inside and take care of the guests and Winnie. I’ll handle this.”
Isabelle nodded and went back into the villa.
Kane was about to call and arrange the hotel when Frank licked his dry lips and said carefully, “Kane, I’m thirsty and tired. Can I come in for a glass of water? I’ll leave right after, I swear.”
Kane smirked coldly. “You sure you want to go inside?”
Frank nodded.
“Alright, go ahead.” Kane stepped aside.
Frank’s face lit up, and he hurried toward the door.
Kane watched his back and let out a quiet, mocking laugh. If you want to embarrass yourself that badly, be my guest.