All Chapters of Framed at My Cousin's Club: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

On the other end of the line, my cousin Nick Elton's voice carried a trace of panic. "Jeff, what's going on? Is there some kind of misunderstanding?""Misunderstanding?" I glanced at the manager named Tina Jordan beside me. She had her arms crossed, a cold smirk playing on her face, clearly enjoying the show. "Ask your manager what she did to me."Nick and Tina started talking over the phone, her voice threaded with contemptuous excuses."Jeff, Tina was just following the rules… don't make things difficult for her. Dinner's on me—""Nick," I cut him off, "I didn't call to get a free meal. I called to let you know you need to deal with your staff."Tina seemed to draw confidence from him, planning to snatch the phone right out of my hand."Sir," she said, her tone equal parts arrogant and certain, "my boss is kind-hearted and won't hold this against you. But the rules at Bosco can't be broken. Either you settle the bill now, or we'll have to ask you to calm down in the security ro

Tina's smug, self-satisfied look made my skin crawl.I ignored her and turned to my guests, offering an apologetic smile."Everyone, I'm terribly sorry for the spectacle tonight. Let me take care of all tonight's expenses. Also, I have a hot spring villa on the outskirts of the city. Next weekend, please come by and relax. Consider it my way of making amends."These were sharp, discerning people. They immediately understood that I was reclaiming face while subtly asserting my power. They all accepted politely, and the atmosphere eased noticeably.After seeing my friends off, the hall was left with just me, Nick, and Tina, still hunched over her cash-counting.Nick finally lost his restraint and came over, taking my hand."Jeff, don't do this. Let's go home and talk, okay? Don't be mad at me."I pulled my hand away and looked at his face, a face that suddenly felt utterly alien."Nick, the moment you let her humiliate me in public, you should have realized—we're never going back

"Mr. Elton," Niall said, "please confirm: were these charges authorized by you, and do they comply with Bosco's brand regulations?"Nick's lips trembled, but no words came out. He looked at me with eyes full of pleading and regret.Seeing him stay silent, Tina panicked. She grabbed his arm and shook him violently."Nick! Speak! Tell them it was with your permission, to protect the club's interests!"Her voice had taken on a frenzied hysteria.I watched the farce unfold in silence, my mind utterly calm. From the moment I made that call, Tina's fate had already been sealed.Niall, seeing Nick remain mute, didn't wait any longer."Since Mr. Elton cannot confirm, we will proceed according to protocol."He gestured backward, and the compliance officers sprang into action.Two moved to the front desk, taking over the computers and pulling data from the system.Two others went to the finance office, ordering all paper accounts to be sealed.And two more began using professional equ

"My grandfather was the founder of the Keller Group and the creator of the Bosco brand," I said, my gaze sweeping across the club."The Bosco brand isn't just a club brand. It is the culmination of his life's work and pride, the most precious legacy he left for the next generation."On his deathbed, he entrusted me with ownership of the Bosco brand and all associated enterprises. He had one condition: that I would carry Bosco forward, and never let it be tarnished."I paused a while, letting my eyes settle on Nick."When your parents died unexpectedly, leaving you alone in the world, it was I who took you in. I pleaded with my grandfather to make an exception and grant you a Bosco brand license, so you could open this club and have a foundation to stand on."What I gave you, Nick, was not a business."What I gave you was my grandfather's expectations, the honor of the Keller family, and my final, heaviest measure of kinship toward you."I thought you would understand. I thought