Capital City.
A villa in the suburbs, outside the Fifth Ring Road.
"Mom, Aunt Celeste is really too much! She keeps helping Frank Castle on the show! I'm her real niece. How can she help an outsider instead of me?"
"This time, you really need to talk to Grandpa properly. Tell Aunt Celeste to stop siding with others!"
Amelia Quinn linked arms with Claire Monroe as they got out of the car. Victor Quinn exited the driver's seat, and the family of three walked into the villa together. This was the home of Robert Monroe, Claire Monroe and Celeste Monroe's father.
Robert Monroe and his wife came from very ordinary backgrounds. After having their eldest son, David Monroe, and second daughter, Claire Monroe, they originally didn't plan on having more children. However, they had a child late in life when his wife became pregnant at 36. At that time, David Monroe was already 16, and Claire Monroe was 14, both at an age that required significant expenses. The family's financial situation was quite average; another child meant another mouth to feed. Robert Monroe wanted to terminate the pregnancy, but his wife insisted on giving birth, and the two argued many times over it.
Later, Celeste Monroe was born. However, Robert Monroe's wife died from postpartum hemorrhage after giving birth. From then on, Robert Monroe regarded his youngest daughter as the murderer who caused his wife's death. Celeste Monroe grew up without a mother and never received paternal love. Parents are role models for their children. Robert Monroe resented Celeste Monroe, and David Monroe and Claire Monroe followed suit, casually bullying their younger sister.
Robert Monroe disliked Celeste Monroe and told her from a young age that she was responsible for her mother's death, that she owed him, owed this family, and that she would have to spend her entire life compensating and atoning. Robert Monroe not only said this but genuinely believed it. So, after Celeste Monroe became famous, he approached her, demanding that she continue to compensate and atone.
The villa now before Amelia Quinn and her parents came into being this way. Property prices in Capital City were outrageously high. Even in the suburbs outside the Fifth Ring Road, this villa was worth tens of millions. At that time, Celeste Monroe was still wholeheartedly committed to compensating her family. So, after she won her second "Best Female Vocalist of America" award, she used her savings to buy this villa for her father. Originally, Robert Monroe's name was supposed to be on the property deed, but an incident later caused Celeste Monroe to change her mind, and her own name was put on the deed. However, Celeste Monroe never lived there. Over time, this villa became Robert Monroe's home. During holidays, the Monroe family would gather here.
In addition, David Monroe and Claire Monroe often came here to complain about Celeste Monroe. Today was no different. Even if Amelia Quinn hadn't said anything, Claire Monroe and Victor Quinn had already planned a visit. Victor Quinn's company was vying for a major project. The opposing party's boss was a fan of Celeste Monroe, having agreed that as long as Celeste Monroe sang a song at that company's annual dinner and had a meal with the boss, the major project would be Victor Quinn's company's. This was a golden opportunity to rise to prominence. If successful, Claire Monroe and Victor Quinn would officially enter high society. For Celeste Monroe, it was clearly a simple favor, yet she had refused. Claire Monroe was very angry, feeling that this sister was truly cold-blooded. Coupled with her daughter being bullied by Frank Castle on the show and Celeste Monroe doing nothing about it, she definitely had to talk to her father properly today.
A Family's Demands
The three entered the villa. Outside, there was a small garden, where a gardener was watering flowers. Inside on the first floor, a housekeeper stood by the door, bowing to the three and offering them slippers. In the kitchen, there was also a chef specifically responsible for cooking. In this villa, Robert Monroe lived alone, attended by three staff members. Robert Monroe himself had no income, but his demands for living were very high. He had Celeste Monroe hire all these staff members for him.
Amelia Quinn's family walked into the spacious and luxurious first-floor living room, seeing an elderly man dressed in designer clothes sitting on an expensive sofa. Amelia Quinn immediately ran up and linked his arm. "Grandpa, I missed you so much!"
Robert Monroe chuckled, stroking Amelia Quinn's head, his face full of loving kindness: "My dear granddaughter, let Grandpa have a good look. Oh my, you've gotten thinner again. Here, this is what Grandpa bought for you." Robert Monroe took two boxes of expensive-looking tonics from the coffee table and handed them to Amelia Quinn. "You must take good care of yourself, Grandpa is waiting to hold his great-grandchild!"
"Oh, Grandpa, you're teasing me again!" Amelia Quinn took the tonics and playfully pouted, not like a divorced woman but rather an innocent young girl. Robert Monroe felt nothing amiss, his face full of indulgence. Of the three Monroe children, the one hated by the whole family yet relied upon by the whole family, Celeste Monroe, need not be mentioned; she was unmarried and childless. David Monroe had a son, but he was good-for-nothing, constantly causing trouble. This granddaughter, born to Claire Monroe, had been well-behaved since childhood, grew up to be successful, and became a big star. So, Robert Monroe was most partial to Amelia Quinn. By extension, Claire Monroe and Victor Quinn were also important to him. He waved to them. "Claire, Victor, come sit down quickly. Your chef, Lily, will have dinner ready soon." The chef in the kitchen was named Lily. She was in her thirties, fair-skinned and capable. Robert Monroe affectionately called her "Little Lily."
Claire Monroe awkwardly acknowledged him. She was almost fifty, and Robert Monroe was stubbornly calling a woman in her thirties her "auntie," which sounded quite jarring. Victor Quinn, however, laughed heartily. "Haha, I get to taste Chef Lily's cooking again!" Claire Monroe glared at her husband, not wanting to mention the person in the kitchen. She immediately said to Robert Monroe, "Dad, this time you really have to talk to Sister Celeste. She has no sense of family left. Not only does she not help us, but she's also helping outsiders bully Amelia!"
"What?! That unfilial rebel actually bullied my granddaughter? What happened?!" Robert Monroe immediately became angry. Amelia Quinn took the opportunity to wipe her eyes and recounted everything about her, Frank Castle, and Celeste Monroe recording American Voice. She also told him about Celeste Monroe clarifying things for Frank Castle on X (Twitter) and tagging her, forcing her to come forward and testify for Frank Castle.
"Grandpa, you know Frank Castle wronged me, but Aunt Celeste insists on helping him! So many people watch that show. If people see Aunt Celeste treating me like this, who knows what they'll say about our family!"
"Hmph!" Robert Monroe roared, "I always knew that Frank Castle was no good! Just a poor boy. When he was with you back then, he probably just wanted to cling to that rebel!" The "rebel" Robert Monroe referred to was, of course, Celeste Monroe. However, he forgot that this villa he lived in, these staff members, and his luxurious life all depended on this "unfilial rebel." He also forgot that when Frank Castle was with Amelia Quinn, Amelia Quinn was nothing, and when Claire Monroe and Victor Quinn's company was losing money, Frank Castle even helped subsidize a part of it. At this moment, in his words, Frank Castle was no good, and Celeste Monroe was also a rebel.
Amelia Quinn's eyes reddened. "Grandpa, you have to help me!" Robert Monroe waved his hand. "I'll call that rebel right away! Ungrateful wretch!"
"Dad, there's something else." Robert Monroe was about to call the "rebel" when Claire Monroe spoke. "My company and Victor's, aren't we vying for that big project from Sterling Group?"
Robert Monroe nodded. Back when Claire Monroe and Victor Quinn's company was on the verge of bankruptcy, he had stepped in and had Celeste Monroe help, bringing in quite a few connections for the company. Capitol City was Robert Monroe's hometown, and he naturally knew Sterling Group, the local leading enterprise. "You two are doing well, to be able to partner with Sterling Group." Robert Monroe's face was full of approval. Two of his three children couldn't stand on their own, which made him unable to hold his head high in front of Celeste Monroe. If Claire Monroe could stand tall, he wouldn't have to go to that rebel every time he needed something.
Victor Quinn continued, "Dad, our company is the most promising for this major project, but the Sterling Group boss has a condition..."
"What condition?"
The couple worked seamlessly together, Claire Monroe taking over. "They want Sister Celeste to perform at their company's annual dinner, and then for Sister Celeste to have dinner with the Sterling boss. Then the project is ours."
Robert Monroe was indifferent. "Isn't that a simple favor?"
Claire Monroe angrily said, "Yes, but we personally went to Sister Celeste for help, and she refused. She even scolded us, saying we weren't worthy of asking her, and she said, she said..."
Robert Monroe's face turned ugly. "What else did she say?"
Claire Monroe sat beside Amelia Quinn, mother and daughter both wiping their eyes in the same way. "She also said to let Amelia go 'entertain guests,' that she wouldn't do such a 'vulgar thing.'"
"Bang!" Robert Monroe's fist slammed the table. "That rebel! How dare she say such a thing?! Amelia is her niece!"
Claire Monroe used a tissue to wipe her eyes. "Dad, don't be angry. Actually, Sister Celeste is right. She's a big star now. We're just holding her back. How can we keep asking her for help?"
"What holding her back?!" Robert Monroe's eyes widened. "She caused your mother's death, my wife's death. She owes our family for her entire life! Letting her help is giving her a chance to atone!"
Claire Monroe sadly shook her head. "Dad, forget it. Sister Celeste is different now. You see, every time she comes home, does she ever give any of us a good face? Sometimes she even dares to talk back to you."
Victor Quinn interjected smoothly, "Dad, this villa, it was bought by Celeste. Our house and car were also financed with her money. If she gets upset, you and we will all be homeless."
These words completely ignited Robert Monroe. He shot up from his seat. "She dares?!" "If she does that, I'll go to the media! I'll say she's unfilial! Let's see how she can continue being a big star then!"
"It won't come to that." Claire Monroe, seeing her husband had gone too far, quickly advised, "Dad, Sister Celeste just has a bad temper. She still listens to you. You just need to tell her." Now their entire family had to rely on Celeste Monroe. If she fell, who would they rely on?
Robert Monroe, of course, understood. His bluster was mostly for show, for his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. He picked up his phone and dialed Celeste Monroe's number. It rang for a long time; no one answered. Robert Monroe's anger grew even more intense. "That rebel! She actually won't answer my call!" He called again, still no answer. The spacious living room was quiet for a moment. A woman in a tank top and short skirt came out of the kitchen with dishes.
"Sir, Miss, Master, Little Amelia, dinner is ready."
Robert Monroe immediately descended the steps and waved his hand. "Let's eat first, then talk!" Claire Monroe looked at Lily, dressed somewhat provocatively, with disgust. What kind of chef wears a short skirt? And all that 'Sir' and 'Miss' business—are we acting out a rich family drama here?
Robert Monroe, however, relished the attention and even had Lily join them at the table for dinner. Lily skillfully took her seat and kept affectionately serving Claire Monroe and Amelia Quinn, calling them "Miss" and "Little Amelia" with every helping, which made the mother and daughter feel utterly disgusted. Victor Quinn, however, smiled and chatted happily with Lily.
After what felt like an eternity, dinner was finally over. Robert called Celeste again. This time, the call finally connected, and a cold, frosty voice answered: "Dad."
Robert Monroe's voice was full of paternal authority. "Why didn't you answer the phone just now?"
"I was working," Celeste replied.
Robert snorted. "Come home tomorrow."
"What for?"
"What for?! How dare you ask 'what for'?! Your second sister asks you for a small favor and you refuse, and you even help outsiders bully your niece! Your mother died giving birth to you! Is this how you repay her?!"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. Celeste's voice, when she spoke again, was slightly hoarse: "My second sister and her family contacted you?"
Robert Monroe said sternly, "And Lily and the others' salaries for next year need to be paid too. Don't always procrastinate; don't let people talk ill of our family!" The salaries for Lily and the two other staff members in the house were paid annually. Robert Monroe was generous. It wasn't even October yet, and he wanted Celeste Monroe to prepay next year's staff salaries. Especially for Lily, Robert Monroe planned to give her a raise, but he didn't need to tell this rebel such small details; he just needed her to bring the money back.
"Dad!" Claire Monroe reminded Robert Monroe from the side. What was there to talk about with staff salaries, such a small matter? The Sterling Group project was the important thing!
Robert Monroe stated decisively, "In any case, you're coming back tomorrow!"
After a moment, Celeste replied, "Okay." Then she hung up the phone. Robert let out a soft breath of relief, then immediately cursed again: "That rebel! I didn't even hang up, and she did first! No manners at all!"
Claire Monroe said, "Dad, Amelia has work in Capital City tomorrow anyway. We'll come over tomorrow night too. It's been so long since we've seen Celeste." Victor Quinn and Amelia Quinn nodded eagerly. They wanted Celeste to agree to their requests on the spot.
"Alright, Lily, make a few more dishes tomorrow," Robert instructed.
"Yes, Sir." The shapely woman in the tank top and short skirt smiled alluringly at Robert.
Claire, on the verge of gagging, had achieved her goal. She left with Victor Quinn and Amelia Quinn.
Another Demand
Meanwhile, in Mountain View, Celeste Monroe, having just finished an engagement, sat in her executive car, looking down at her phone, a hint of sardonic amusement playing on her lips. Sarah Chou and Lily, sitting nearby, exchanged glances and remained silent. This was Celeste's family business, and they knew better than to interfere. They just felt a pang of sympathy. Celeste's schedule was relentless. She'd just finished an event in Mountain View and was flying back to Capital City tonight. Tomorrow, she'd have to find time to deal with a family of "vampires." The thought itself was exhausting.
Yet, Celeste's family wasn't the only set of "vampires." Just a few minutes after Robert's call, Simon Stone's call came through. His tone was equally non-negotiable.
"Celeste, you're flying back to Capital City tonight, right? Come have dinner with me tomorrow night. My mom, my sister and her husband, and my cousin will be there too."