"Please, don't give me to those people!" Cedie cried aloud as they gathered in the living room.
Kaye gently patted his head, soothing his fears. "You don't have to worry, baby. We will never give you to anyone," she reassured him.
Haru leaned against the wall, arms crossed, frustration evident in his voice. "How dare they suddenly appear and decide to take him away, especially after all they've done to the former Cedie."
Tristan spoke up as Kurtis and Kyle entered the room. "What's the update?"
"I've spoken to Cedie's parents. They'll be here tomorrow," Kurtis informed the group.
"In case they try anything, I've prepared the legal documents. I'm ready to defend your rights as Cedie's new parents," Kyle added.
Raon interjected with a strategic plan. "We must keep our relationships secret. If they discover Kaye has multiple husbands, they could use it against us. Let's act as Cedie's uncles."
Agreeing with nods all around, Kaye held Cedie close, determined to keep him by their side.
The following morning, Cedie's biological parents arrived at the mansion, awestruck by its grandeur. Unaware of the doctor's wealth, the father smirked with hidden intentions.
"Cedie!" His mother called out, but Cedie retreated behind Kaye, his mother's stern gaze not escaping her notice.
"Please, have a seat," Kurtis offered, breaking the tension.
As the couple settled onto the couch, Kurtis cut to the chase. "So, what do you want now?"
"We've come to take back our son," the father stated bluntly.
Kurtis countered, "Why now? You abandoned him at the orphanage when he was young. And suddenly, you want him back?"
The mother pleaded, "We realize we made a mistake. We're here to correct it and make things right with our son."
"But Cedie has a new family now. We have legal custody and the means to provide for him," Kurtis insisted, Kaye nodding in agreement.
Cedie's mother raised an eyebrow. "Blood ties still hold weight. He's our son, and we have rights."
Kyle, Cedie's uncle and lawyer, interjected firmly, "We have legal documents and Cedie came with us willingly. We'll fight for our rights in court if necessary."
The father bristled, "Why escalate this? We just want our son back."
"We're fighting for Cedie's best interests," Kaye declared, her determination evident.
The mother scoffed, "You act as if you truly care. But he's my son; he'll choose me."
Kaye tightened her fists, but Cedie's actions spoke volumes as he hugged Kaye tightly, affirming his choice.
"Please don't give me to them. I don't know them," Cedie muttered, his voice trembling with fear.
The couple heard his plea, but the father insisted, "Cedie, we are your parents. We love you more than they ever could."
"No! If you loved Cedie, you would never leave!" Cedie retorted, his young voice filled with defiance.
The couple's expressions shifted, anger brewing beneath the surface as the father snapped, "Fine. If you're so insistent on taking him, then take him. But if you want to be his parents, you'll have to pay us."
As the realization dawned on Cedie's new family, they understood the couple's true motive – they were after money, not Cedie's well-being.
Haru couldn't contain his disdain. "I didn't expect you'd be willing to trade your own son for money."
Enraged, the father spat back, "You're the ones insisting on taking him! We know we're no match for rich people like you. A small amount of money will suffice. Do you think it's easy for us to give up our son?"
Tristan's retort cut through the tension, "You already abandoned him once at the orphanage. Giving him away seems to come easy to you."
"Tsk..." the father gritted his teeth.
Undeterred, the mother pressed on, "Just give us the money, and we'll disappear from your lives forever," her gaze sweeping around the mansion. "I'm certain you can afford whatever amount we demand."
But Raon stood firm. "And what if we refuse?"
The father's temper flared. "What?"
"Cedie isn't a commodity to be bought and sold." Raon's words echoed the sentiment, "He's family. Money means nothing compared to him."
The couple's faces flushed with embarrassment and frustration, realizing their plan was about to fail.
"Are you implying money matters more to us than our own son?" the father seethed.
Shin's response was unwavering, "Exactly."
The mother scanned Cedie's uncles, recognition dawning as she realized some were prominent businessmen. A glimmer of opportunity flickered in her eyes – blackmailing these wealthy individuals could yield a hefty sum.
"Tch. You will regret this. Don't you know that we know someone who can help us against you? If you don't give us what we want, your lives will be in danger," the mother threatened.
"Now you're threatening us?" Kurtis challenged.
"We were aware of the nature of your occupations before we even met you. We conducted a thorough investigation. Cedie's father was associated with a syndicate, and his mother worked at a club. Do you truly believe you are suitable to be Cedie's parents? Your attempt to exchange money for your son is evidence enough against you. We will not sit idly by; we will take legal action against you," Kyle asserted.
"Ha! Do you think we're scared? Our boss is the most powerful in the country. No matter what you do, you will never defeat us!" the father boasted.
"I wonder who this boss of yours is," Raon mused, raising an eyebrow.
Proudly, the father declared, "He's the head of the Fuentebella Family."
Silence fell as the revelation sank in. Shin's laughter pierced the tension.
"Tsk. Why are you laughing? I'm telling the truth!" the father retorted.
"I'm sorry, but you can't scare us just because of the Fuentebellas," Shin replied calmly.
"We're serious here!" the mother insisted. "Aren't you scared for your lives?"
Everyone shrugged.
"You guys will be in danger!" the father warned.
"I don't remember someone like you working for Fuentebella," Mikhail suddenly interjected, arriving on the scene.
The couple turned to him, puzzled. "And who are you?" the father demanded.
"You claim to be a member of a syndicate? I don't recall Fuentebella being involved with such dirty, low-class groups like yours," Mikhail retorted.
"What did you say?" The father's anger flared. "Who are you to mock the Fuentebellas?"
Warren and Benjamin aimed their guns at the father. "Watch your tone. Do you know who you're speaking to?" Warren cautioned.
The couple stepped back nervously.
"Mind your manners. You're addressing the underboss of Fuentebella," Benjamin added.
"T-The... U-Underboss?" The father's fear was palpable upon discovering Mikhail's identity.
Both the father and mother knelt before them. "I-I'm sorry... W-We didn't know... P-Please spare us!" the father pleaded.
Mikhail fixed him with a stern glare. "I came here because someone was claiming my nephew, and I heard that you were threatening my family."
The couple trembled with fear.
"N-Nephew?" the mother stammered.
"He's my uncle!" Cedie declared.
The couple's eyes widened in realization.
"How dare you threaten my family. Do you really want to die?" Mikhail's voice was cold and threatening.
"W-We are very sorry! Please spare us! W-We will never bother you again!" the father begged.
"Really?" Mikhail pressed his foot onto the father's hand, causing him to cry out in pain.
"How can I be sure that you won't bother us again?" Mikhail demanded, applying more pressure.
"I... I promise! W-We will never show our faces again! Please!" the father cried out.
The mother, terrified, watched as Mikhail produced his gun. They had no idea that Cedie and his new family were part of the Fuentebella.
Mikhail aimed his gun at the father's face. "Make sure you never show your ugly faces to us again, or I will kill you and your group. Understand?" he warned.
"Y-Yes!" the father stammered, terrified of involving their group any further. If their boss found out they had crossed the Fuentebellas, he would be doomed.
Mikhail glanced at Warren and Benjamin. "Teach these two a lesson for threatening our family," he ordered.
The two nodded and signaled their men. Despite the couple's pleas, they were forcefully dragged out of the mansion.
Kaye breathed a sigh of relief. "Thankfully, it's over."
Kurtis patted her back reassuringly. "Don't worry, they'll never bother us again."
Kaye smiled gratefully. "Thank you."
Cedie cried tears of relief. "Waaahhh! Thank you, everyone! I thought I would be separated from you all."
"That will never happen; we are family," Kaye assured him.
They all smiled and gathered for a group hug, their bond stronger than ever.