"Lord Drago!" Hellen's voice was a mere whisper, choked by nervousness.
The visitor was none other than Lord Drago, accompanied by two bodyguards.
Lord Drago's gaze swept over Hellen from head to toe. He swallowed hard, captivated by her beauty.
Hellen squirmed under Lord Drago's predatory gaze, feeling as though he was about to pounce.
"Why have you come to my house?" Hellen asked, summoning her courage.
Lord Drago didn't immediately answer, his eyes still fixed on Hellen's figure, defined by her simple T-shirt and trousers. A visible gulp rippled in his throat.
"Such a beautiful face, a virgin," Lord Drago murmured to himself, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "If only I could possess that smooth body... I'll have it all. You'll fall to your knees before me." He harbored a sinister plan.
Her features were sharp, her lips full. Her body was well-built, neither slender nor robust. Her clear, calm face hinted at a girl of integrity, yet also of unwavering resolve. She wasn't easily swayed from her intentions. Her well-kept clothes and orderly home bespoke a family of means, and her refined demeanor suggested an upbringing of high standing. All of this only intensified Lord Drago's fascination with her beauty.
Hellen, recognizing the lecherous intent in his gaze, felt a surge of disgust and irritation.
"This old man is so disgusting," Hellen muttered, clenching her fists tightly. "I want to kick his eyes out."
Seeing that Lord Drago still hadn't stated his purpose, Hellen deliberately coughed, shattering his lecherous daydream.
"Excuse me," Lord Drago asked, a smirk playing on his lips. "Is your mother home at the moment, pretty lady?"
Lord Drago's 'praise' didn't flatter Hellen; instead, it only deepened her disgust. Before she could respond, Madame Elizabeth's voice boomed from the living room.
"Hellen, who is that?"
Turning her head, Hellen replied, "Lord Drago, Mum!"
Ethan and his mother exchanged another glance. Ethan, who had expected Ferdy, immediately abandoned his plans for the birthday party.
Meanwhile, Hellen invited Lord Drago to come in and sit in the living room.
Ethan and his mother rose from their seats and approached Lord Drago.
Lord Drago instructed his two guards to remain outside.
"Ah, Mr. Drago! What brings you to our humble abode?" Madame Elizabeth greeted him, taking a seat across from him.
Twirling his long, greying beard and moustache, Lord Drago replied, "How very modest of you, madam! Your house is a veritable palace, so neat and clean. My purpose in coming is merely to pay a visit, Madame – and to remind you, as we agreed, your debt is due today."
"I apologize, sir," Madame Elizabeth replied, her lips trembling. "I… I had hoped to borrow more money from you. Please, I beg you, give me more time and opportunity to repay my debt."
Although Lord Drago addressed Madame Elizabeth, his eyes continually strayed to Hellen, who sat beside her mother.
Ethan, meanwhile, watched Lord Drago's every move with growing irritation.
Lord Drago feigned nonchalance when Madame Elizabeth asked for an extension and more funds.
"Fine!" Lord Drago replied. "I'll give you more time and opportunity to pay off your debt. How much do you want to borrow now, madam?"
Before Madame Elizabeth could answer, Ethan suddenly interrupted her.
"That's enough, Mum, you don't need to borrow any more money from people like this, I'll pay off your debt."
"What do you mean, Ethan?" Madame Elizabeth snapped. "Mind your manners! Lord Drago has already given me an extension and offered to lend us more money."
Turning to Lord Drago, Madame Elizabeth clasped her hands over her chest. "I'm so sorry for Ethan's impudence, Lord Drago! We had discussed this earlier, and I was planning to visit your house to request a further loan."
"No problem, madam!" Lord Drago replied, his fingers stroking his beard. "I understand the rebellious spirit of today's youth. If you wish to borrow more money from me, I'll gladly lend it to you."
"May I know if you require any collateral?" asked Madame Elizabeth.
"No need, madame!" Lord Drago replied, his gaze briefly flickering to Hellen. "You are free to pay off your debts at any time, whenever you have the means. I understand that any endeavor takes time, and I see you are a hardworking and resilient mother to your children."
"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Drago," Madame Elizabeth said. "I promise to pay you back when I have made a good profit from my business."
"No, Mum, I'm telling you again, don't borrow money from that old man!" Ethan interjected.
"Shut your mouth, Ethan!" Madame Elizabeth snapped, her hand rising instinctively. "Who else can help me with the loan? You both heard him yourself – Lord Drago is offering such flexible terms."
Lord Drago smiled inwardly, observing the argument unfold between Madame Elizabeth and her two children. He remained outwardly calm, unfazed by Ethan and Hellen's opposition to their mother borrowing from him.
"You two should be proud to have a mother still willing to fight for your survival," Lord Drago said lightly, a hint of mockery in his voice. "And perhaps a little ashamed that you haven't been able to alleviate her burdens."
"You're very arrogant, old man!" Ethan retorted fiercely. "Do you think we can't earn our own money? I'll pay off my mum's debt myself, mark my words!"
"Yes!" Hellen chimed in. "You must have some ulterior motive behind this 'kindness' of lending money to our mother!"
"Enough, I say!" Madame Elizabeth snapped, glaring at Ethan and Hellen. "Can't you appreciate what others are doing for us? Tell me, who else is going to help us?"
Both Ethan and Hellen averted their gaze under Madame Elizabeth's furious scolding and glare. Meanwhile, Lord Drago's inward smile widened, certain his plan was now set to succeed.
"Once again, I apologize, Lord Drago," Madame Elizabeth said. "They didn't mean to offend you. Please, take their words with a grain of salt."
"That's quite alright, Madame," Lord Drago replied, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "I'm used to being misunderstood. I forgive your children everything they say."
"Nonsense!" Hellen sneered. "You're nothing but a sweet-talker, Lord Drago! Do you think we don't know who you are? You're just a loan shark, looking to blackmail people!"
"Shut up, Hellen!" snapped Madame Elizabeth, slapping Hellen on the cheek.
Hellen immediately clung to Ethan who was sitting beside her, and started crying in Ethan's arms.
"Can't you listen to our request just once?" Ethan pleaded, stroking his sister's long hair. "Give me a chance to earn money and pay off Mum's debts. I don't want her stuck in debt."
"You are the ones who have to listen to your mum's words!" Madame Elizabeth replied. "It's all for your sake. I didn't borrow the money to indulge; it's for my trading business."
Seeing Hellen crying in Ethan's arms, Lord Drago murmured to himself, "If only I could hold and fondle that girl, I'd claim her right away."
As Lord Drago was lost in his lecherous fantasies about Hellen, Madame Elizabeth's voice sharply brought him back.
"Mr. Drago, are you all right?"
Hearing Madame Elizabeth's sharp query, Lord Drago chuckled. "I'm perfectly fine, Madame! So, how much do you wish to borrow from me?"
Madame Elizabeth let out a long sigh as Lord Drago awaited her answer regarding the loan amount.
Confusion washed over Ethan and Hellen as Lord Drago reiterated his offer, asking for the specific sum their mother intended to borrow.