Chapter 8

After dinner, Finn turned down Sue's offer to give him a ride.

He headed home alone, smiling wryly as he still had 500 grand even after paying tuition fees, while gaining Sue's support.

Whether it was in his past life or in the current one, his own family resented him so much and wanted him gone, while a stranger like Sue was somehow kind to him.

Even if it was an insignificant gesture to her, Finn felt endless warmth from it.

Ring!

That was when his phone rang, yanking him out of his thoughts.

"Hello, Finn. Do you feel better now?"

It was the counselor, Lilian Thule.

Finn once again felt another burst of warmth, as she always showed concern and helped him in secret, knowing that he was financially troubled.

Smiling earnestly, he replied, "You don't have to worry about me, Ms. Thule. I'm fine."

"That's good," Lilian chuckled. "Anyway, I've found you a job at the college store. You can work part-time outside of work—what do you think?"

"Of course!"

Finn agreed to it readily, since he needed another job after resigning from dishwashing.

He also needed money for his medical fees and other things, so he hurried to the store once he asked for other details.

It wasn't tough work—mostly just cashiering and odd jobs, and Lilian was basically securing a vacancy for him after someone else resigned.

But after just a few peaceful days, Finn felt his peaceful life disturbed by a familiar laugh. "Oh, if it isn't Finn! What are you doing here, selling hot dogs?"

A rowdy bunch with Joe at the center soon arrived, with Joe smiling in disdain, wearing designer brands from head to toe.

Finn expressionlessly handed a customer a hot dog before finally turning to Joe, asking flatly, "How can I help you?"

He really didn't have time for the Lawsons' favorite child.

"Watch how you speak to Joe!" Eli bellowed, streaking forward and grabbing Finn by the collar. "You should be honored he's talking to you, when all a loser like you deserves is selling hot dogs at a cheap stall like this one!"

That was when Joe cleared his throat and dramatically fanned away the steam billowing in front of him. "Come on, Eli. Aren't you worried that you'll get your hands dirty? Heck, I'm worried about the air quality just by standing near peasants like him."

Eli released Finn's collar immediately and spat in disgust while nodding at Joe. "Yes, you're right! Having him show up around her is really dirt in your eye, Joe!"

Finn's gaze darkened, his knuckles clenching under his sleeves.

He just wanted to do his best and live, but Joe kept humiliating and framing him.

Even then, everyone always took Joe's side—all he had to do was speak, and Finn would take the blame.

He was frustrated, just as he couldn't understand.

He might be the Lawsons' real son, but he never thought about taking anything—all he wanted was to have a family and the affection he had yearned for nineteen years.

That was when Joe chuckled coolly as he advanced. "How dare you look at me like that?"

With just a wave of his hand, a large gang of boys swarmed the stall, and Joe smirked in amusement. "One hot dog for every one of my buddies."

Eli promptly chimed in, "See?! Joe is so kind, giving you money seeing that you're working a part-time job! Show some gratitude, peasant!"

Finn could feel his rage bursting with Eli's haughty tone as he ordered him around, but he still held back.