Chapter 107 Saving The Galaxy For years, Liam had pursued Bernice, but her demeanor toward him remained as icy as ever.
They hadnât even so much as held hands..
Yet, here was Finnegan, receiving from her the kind of attention that had always eluded Liam. His expression frosted over in an instant. âFinnegan, who are you accusing of disparaging you? Whoâs the snake in the grass?â
Cindy, visibly disgusted, chimed in, âFinnegan, how do you even dare to show your face here? You may have crossed Rocky for Bernieâs sake, but if you hadnât brought her to the bar in the first place, would this have happened? And what does Mr. Sable, with his standing, have to gain from discrediting you?
Had it not been for him, we may still be searching for Bernie!â
Her torrent of words made it clear she sided squarely with Liam.
Finneganâs brows knitted in displeasure, his disdain for Cindy heightening.
Her judgment was purely based on prejudice, devoid of any sense of right and wrong.
Yet, before he could speak, Bernice interrupted, âCin, Finnegan is my boyfriend. I hope you can refrain from harboring any prejudice toward him.â
She was no fool. She could read the subtext of Cindyâs cooperation with Liam.
However, for the sake of their years of friendship, she decided against admonishing Cindy.
Bernice knew that Cindy was ultimately looking out for her as the latter thought that Finnegan was not a good match for her.
Cindy hesitated, sensing the hint of fury in Berniceâs tone.
Biting her lower lip, Cindy took on a more gentle tone. âHe still needs to explain himself, no? Otherwise, not just me, but even your parents wonât accept him.â
Liam concurred, âExactly. Even if you had only offended Rocky to protect Bernie, the root of the issue was you taking her to that bar in the first place.â
âIt wasnât Finnegan who took me to the bar,â Bernice interjected, holding Finneganâs hand in a silent plea for him to remain quiet. âI chose to go myself.â
She didnât see the need to bring up the fact that the fight had started because of Josephine.
It would only serve to further isolate Finnegan.
Observing this, Finnegan felt a surge of complex emotions, gratitude among them.
Did I save the galaxy in my previous life to deserve the chance to meet her in this life?
Cindy was skeptical. âBernie, Iâve known you for eleven years. You rarely even go to karaoke bars.
How could you willingly go to a place like tââ
Before Cindy could even finish, Bernice lifted her right hand. âI swear, if it wasnât for my own choice to go to that bar, may my intestines rot and my body decay!â
Her parents, initially on the fence, were shocked.
âBernie, donât make rash oaths.â
âWe trust you, and weâre not blaming Finnegan.â
and Liamâs faces fell, as their efforts to vilify Finnegan had crumbled with Berniceâs solemn vow.
Finnegan gently tucked in the stray hairs covering Berniceâs forehead. âSilly girl, why take such an impulsive oath? The universe works in mysterious ways.â
Bernice chuckled softly. âI have nothing to fear, for my conscience is clear.â
Their loving demeanor filled Liamâs eyes with a gathering storm, though he managed to keep his anger under wraps, if barely.
Patrick and Jennifer shared a glance before the latter approached Finnegan. âBernie left home early for university, and we always advised her to avoid dangerous places. She promised us she would unless someone could provide her with a sense of absolute safety. Otherwise, she would never go, even if she really wanted to give it a try. Finnegan, it appears you have won her trust. Treat her well.â
Hearing that, Liam dug his nails further into his flesh. Finnegan nodded. âMs. Jennifer, I will be sure to treat Bernie, as well as the two of you, well. Thank you for raising the woman who will become my wife.â
Berniceâs face flushed, and she playfully pinched Finnegan. âMeanie, what are you saying?â
Jennifer was amused.
Patrick let out a soft sigh and stepped forward. âFinnegan, Bernie is my treasured daughter. Remember your words today. Treat my daughter well.â
âOf course,â Finnegan assured him.
Nodding, Patrick then turned to Bernice and Jennifer. âLetâs go home and not be in Captain Quickwoodâs way any longer. Finnegan, do you want to come with us?â
âItâs getting late. You guys go ahead and get some rest at home. Iâll visit another day,â Finnegan replied.
âFinnegan, Iâll be going with my mom and dad then.â
Cindy shot a glare at Finnegan and caught up with Bernice and her family, leaving behind Liam and Hailey.
By then, Liam did not even deign to hide his fury any longer.
Finnegan cast an amused glance at him and said, âYour plan with Bernieâs best friend to smear my name failed, and youâve only managed to strengthen my standing in her family. I bet that doesnât feel good. huh?â
If Liam could, he would beat Finnegan to a pulp, but he knew he would end up getting a beating instead.
Suppressing his anger, Liam approached Finnegan and whispered, âFinnegan, Bernice will be mine eventually. Youâre just a temporary caretaker. And remember, hand over the formulas by next Friday, or elseâ¦â
He then left with a cold laugh.
Finnegan narrowed his eyes as he weighed his options. In the end, he decided against physically confronting Liam, given the presence of so many police officers nearby.
Romona mocked, âThat smart mouth of yours is really impressive. How could you even bring yourself to call your girlfriend your wife in front of her parents?â
Finnegan waved his hand and went in the opposite direction as Liam. âYouâd better spend more time.
thinking about what youâre going to do when you lose. Iâm really looking forward to that.â
Romonaâs face turned grim when she thought about her bet with Finnegan.
âJerk!â
It was not that she had never gotten into a bet with others, but it was the first time she had felt so exasperated.
Romona was glad that Finnegan could cure Waylynn. However, she was on the fence about her promise to serve as Finneganâs maid and the prospect of having to perform a special dance for him.
She grew more vexed the more she thought about it. Tightening her fist, she muttered, âIf I lose, I might as well just beat him up. That way, I wonât feel like Iâve lost anything.â
Finnegan, who had left, was naturally oblivious to her plans.
After turning a corner, he unfolded a piece of paper, read its contents, and then tore it to shreds. âLiam, I hope you dismiss those thoughts. Otherwise, the Sable family is going to be in dangerâ¦â
In the car heading in the opposite direction, a scowling Liam slapped Hailey across her face.
âWhy didnât you tell me about Bernie being at the bar together with Finnegan when you found out about it?â
Covering her face, she fumbled for an answer. âMr. Sable, I assumed that was of no importance. I thought it was enough to know that Finnegan had offended Rocky, causing him to have the motive to abduct Ms. Zimmerman.â
Liam gave her another slap. âF*ck! If I had known that Bernie was at the bar as well, why would I disparage Finnegan? I would have known that Bernie would take on all the blame!â
âMr. Sable, please forgive me. It was all my fault to have not anticipated her move.â
Now that things had taken such a turn, Liam knew it was futile to continue beating Hailey.
âBut itâs not that we have achieved nothing tonight. At least the Zimmerman family knows it was me who saved Bernie using my connections tonight. As long as I play my cards right, I still stand a chance with Bernic,â Liam said.
âI want you to look deeper into Finnegan. The incident that happened in the Chomsky residence tonight. was far too coincidental,â he further ordered.
âNoted, Mr. Sable.â