historical

She saw through his feeble plan in an instant. Jerome laughed.

"I wasn't expecting you to catch on so quickly, but yes. That's right," Jerome declared.

"I own this place now. I am here to remove you and all your friends from my private property."

Jerome turned to everyone, pointing at all of them as he declared, "All of you are trespassers! Everyone one of you! Leave now or I will have all of you arrested."

Not only had he driven away customers, but he had also caused a scene on the opening day of her brand new shop. Furthermore, he had the audacity to claim they were trespassing on his property.

It was clear he wanted to swoop in and take everything. Laina folded her arms as she glared at Jerome.

"What would you like to take next?" she cheered him on, "Perhaps all the jewelry I have here should go to you too as compensation?"

Jerome laughed maniacally as he clapped his hands, "Yes! I'm not one to refuse an offering. I'll gladly take it."

Jerome reached his hand out. He wanted to pat Laina on the shoulder mockingly. But before he could do so, another hand swiped his away.

"Get your filthy hands away from her," a cold voice hissed.

Laina had not noticed him walk through the door. But in the blink of an eye, Dante appeared by her side. He placed his arm around her protectively, pulling her into his embrace.

Having Dante by her side gave Laina a confidant boost. She was not about to give up so easily.

"Would you like me to teach him a lesson?" Dante asked casually without skipping a beat.

Jerome was insulted. This man, who appeared out of nowhere was asking Laina if he should be taught a lesson.

"Who do you think you are? Teaching me a lesson?" Jerome barked.

But Dante paid him no mind. He did not even give him the respect of a glance. He only had Laina in his eyes. Whatever Laina wanted, he would do as she asked.

To his surprise, she shook her head, "It's alright, I can handle this. I don't think he's worth your time, Your Majesty."

If Jerome was not quaking in fear where he stood, he should now. But the young man was denser than a rock. He was still unable to read the situation.

Dante lifted and kissed the back of Laina's hand, "I don't think he's worth your time either, my dear."

"Are you two insane? You know that I can hear every word you're saying right?!" Jerome yelled, his face turned beet red.

The others who were present were stunned to see how things played out. The children were stunned to hear Laina address Dante as 'Your Majesty'.

"Is Dante... a King?" one of the children whispered to another.

The other replied in shock, "I thought my ears weren't working! Is that really what Miss Laina said?"

Neil stood there with his mouth wide open. They might not have known Laina for very long, but they have gotten to know her and her companions quite well. How had he not noticed it before? It was as clear as day.

Laina and her companions were not common folk. They were on a whole different level.

"Oh I know you can hear, Jerome," Laina turned to him, "If you don't mind, I would like you to leave."

"Leave?"'

"Yes, leave. If you want to talk about trespassing, it is you who's doing so."

From her spatial storage, Laina brought out the title deed she had received when she purchased the shophouse at the Administration Holdings.

"First, I bought this place directly from the Administration Holding way before you ever did. The last time I checked, I am still the legal owner of this establishment," she declared as she showed everyone the title deed in her hand.

Laina walked over to Neil and asked him to lend him his title deed. He handed it to her without the slightest hesitation.

"But it has come to my attention, that the true owner of this building is not you or I. This is the original title deed of the building. It even has the authentic signature of the original owner," Laina explained.

"Give me that-" Jerome attempted to snatch it out of Laina's hand.

Dante swooped in, grabbing onto Jerome's wrist and blocking his path. He tightened his grip as Jerome yelped in pain.

"I told you once and I will say it again," Dante warned as he glared at him, "Don't you dare lay so much as a finger on her."

Dante released Jerome's hand, causing him to stumble back. Laina grinned as she continued to address the crowd.

"The previous owner willed this shophouse to Neil and the children," Laina turned back to the police as she continued, "But just because they are children, the authorities refused to believe them."

Neil and the children hung their heads low. It was the truth. None of the adults believed them. They did not even look at the title deed with Neil showed it to them.

They only saw them as troublemakers. But they were so much more than that.

"I had this title deed authenticated, along with the seal and signature. It has been proven to be one hundred percent authentic," Laina continued, "As such, I negotiated with Neil and the children to use this space."

With that part of the story settled, it was time for Laina to finish it off. She turned to Jerome and walked up to him. the fire burning in her eyes scared him. It was as if he was looking into the eyes of a ferocious tigress ready to make her kill.

Before Jerome could even protest, Laina successfully swiped the title deed he had in his hand. He tried to get it back but was quickly blocked by Dante once more.

Laina analyzed the title deed swiftly. It was just as she had suspected. It was forged. Not to mention the terrible craftsmanship too.

"This title deed is forged," Laina announced to everyone.

Margaret snickered, "Just as I thought."

"You're lying! This is the real title deed!" Jerome yelled as he snatched it back from Laina.

He pointed at Laina and Neil, "You two are the ones who are lying!"

Jerome turned to the police officers he had brought with him. He ordered them to arrest Laina and the children for attempted forgery and trespassing. The officers were hesitant.

"Don't just stand there! Arrest them!" Jerome yelled.

Before the officers could take another step towards Laina and the children, Kol and Florin leaped into action. They drew their weapons, showing them in full view.

"I would not take another step if I were you," Florin warned as he stared them down.

Dante stood over Laina protectively. He was not about to let this blasphemous display go on for any longer. The atmosphere was so tense, no one knew what was going to happen next.

"What is going on here?"

Everyone turned in the direction of the voice that spoke.

It was Lady Wilma.