Chapter 06-The Unacknowledged Fiancé

"Hey, buddy! Get that junk motorcycle out of the way!" someone shouted from inside the car, the horn blaring repeatedly.

Ethan flinched as the yell erupted from the car window. Meanwhile, Lobo, recognizing the occupant, immediately swung the gate open with a bow. As the gate widened, the person in the backseat rolled down the window, their eyes fixed on Ethan with a glare. Then, they instructed the driver to halt.

"Lobo, get over here now!" the backseat passenger bellowed.

Lobo promptly approached the rear of the car. "Yes, Mr. Albert! How may I assist you?" he inquired.

"Who is this insolent youth, and what is he doing on this property?" Albert demanded.

"Oh, he's merely at the wrong address, Mr. Albert! He insisted on entering, claiming he's a friend of Miss Mona's and arrived at her invitation," Lobo replied, casting a pointed glance at Ethan.

"You'd best get rid of that scoundrel before he causes trouble here!" Albert insisted.

Lobo then obeyed Albert's command, moving to shoo away Ethan, who remained standing before the gate. Lobo forcefully shoved Ethan, yelling, "Get out of here, buddy! Don't make Mr. Albert angry with me just because you're trying to force your way in."

"Who exactly is this Albert? Is he the owner of this house?" Ethan asked, returning Albert's fierce gaze.

"Listen, pal, he's Mr. Albert, Miss Monalisa's fiancé. You're a nobody here, and Mr. Martin won't appreciate seeing you around either," Lobo sneered.

Ethan wasn't overly surprised by Lobo's revelation about Albert being Mona's fiancé. In their year-long relationship, Mona had confided in Ethan about her parents' intentions to arrange her marriage.

Throughout their secret romance, Ethan had never met Mona's parents, and vice versa. Mona was resistant to the arranged betrothal with Albert, despite his wealthy family. Mona's own father was a very rich man, the owner of a large corporation.

"I won't leave until I see Mona, please just call Mona out here!" Ethan pleaded, a hint of desperation in his voice.

"Good heavens! You're incredibly stubborn, aren't you? Are you looking for trouble?" Lobo snapped.

"I'm not looking for trouble, I simply came to offer my congratulations. If you don't let me in, Mona will be upset with you. She must be expecting me; if Mona doesn't see me arrive, she'll definitely be angry," Ethan explained.

Seeing that Ethan still hadn't moved, Albert's fury intensified. A middle-aged man seated beside him then addressed Albert:

"Who is that young man, Albert? Why does he seem to be arguing with the guard?"

"I don't know, Father! Lobo said he's a friend of Mona's and wants to come in," Albert replied, turning to his father, whose name was Martin.

Both Mr. Martin and Albert finally exited the car and joined in berating Ethan, who remained steadfast.

Ethan appeared unfazed as Albert and his father approached him.

Mr. Martin scrutinized Ethan from head to toe, then planted his hands on his hips and demanded, "Who are you, young man? What business do you have coming to Mr. Willy's residence? Judging by your disheveled appearance, you must be some sort of thug."

"Who I am is none of your concern! I came here because Mona invited me, and my appearance is equally irrelevant to you," Ethan retorted casually.

Feeling his father was being treated rudely by Ethan, Albert instantly grabbed Ethan's jacket collar, yelling, "You insolent brat! Speak respectfully to my father, are you trying to provoke me? Just so you know, you're nothing to us!"

"The one who should speak respectfully is you; he's not my father. Why should I be polite and respectful to your father?" Ethan scoffed, pushing Albert's hand away from his collar.

"You're pathetic, buddy! You must have never felt my fist. Get out of here quickly before my hands start talking," Albert snarled furiously.

"So your hands can talk too, what do they sound like?" Ethan taunted, offering Albert a wry smile.

Before Albert could respond, a middle-aged woman called out from inside the car, "Enough, Albert! Why are you bothering with that poor young man? We're already late. We should go inside immediately before Mrs. Grace and Mr. Willy are kept waiting any longer."

"Your mother is right, Albert! Just let him stand at the gate," Mr. Martin conceded.

Then, Mr. Martin instructed Lobo to restrain Ethan from entering, "Lobo, don't allow this young man inside. He's a complete embarrassment; if necessary, remove him forcefully!"

"Understood, sir! I will prevent him from entering. You and your family should proceed inside. Allow me to handle this young man," Lobo replied arrogantly.

Just as Albert and his father were about to re-enter the car, a girl suddenly sprinted towards the gate. Albert recognized her as Mona and assumed she was coming to greet him.

"Ethan!" called the girl, who was indeed Mona.

Hearing Mona only greet Ethan, both Albert and his father were taken aback. Their shock intensified when Mona embraced Ethan and invited him inside. The woman in the car also widened her eyes, witnessing Mona's blatant disregard for Albert.

"Ethan, why are you late? The event has already begun, let's go inside!" Mona urged, pulling Ethan's hand.

"Mona, what are you doing? Why are you inviting that young man in? Who exactly is he?" Albert demanded, his face now flushed with jealousy.

"What's wrong, Albert? Don't you like me inviting my boyfriend? This is my mother's birthday party, you have no right to forbid Ethan from entering," Mona retorted loudly.

"Excuse me, Miss Mona, but isn't this event exclusively for family? This young man doesn't appear to be family, and I'm concerned the madam and master will be displeased if he enters," Lobo interjected, reminding her.

Hearing Lobo's statement, Mona slapped him hard, snapping, "Since when have you dared to defy me, Lobo? Do you consider them my family?"

Lobo recoiled two steps as Mona yelled at him, while Albert's rage intensified at being treated like a stranger by Mona.

"What nonsense are you spouting, Mona? You are my fiancée, and we will be married soon," Albert stated, forcibly separating Ethan's hand from Mona's.

Mona refused to release Ethan's hand; instead, she forcefully shoved Albert, retorting, "Your fiancée? In your dreams, Albert! Don't expect any sympathy from me; you are nothing to me. You and your parents should go home now; don't even bother trying to persuade my father and mother."

Albert's heart burned with fury upon hearing Mona's words, and so did his parents'. They exchanged bewildered glances, wondering about the true identity of the young man Mona was holding hands with.

Albert once again ordered Lobo to forcefully expel Ethan, "Lobo, get rid of that scoundrel!"

Upon receiving Albert's command, Lobo turned towards Mona. He felt intimidated by Mona, while Albert held no authority over him. Lobo chose to remain silent as Mona glared at him.

"Lobo, are you even listening to me?" Albert snapped.

"What right do you have to give orders to Lobo? I'm the one with the right, because I'm his employer, understand?" Mona retorted, firing back at Albert.

Mr. Martin, who had been silently observing until now, raised his voice, "Mona, we indeed have no right to give orders to Lobo. But is it appropriate for a young man like that to be at your mother's birthday party? Look at him! His clothes are like a vagrant's. You deserve better than that, Mona!"

"So, sir, you believe Albert is worthy of being with me? Don't be ridiculous, sir! I don't care about the clothes he wears; I care more about his heart. I know Ethan well, whereas I don't know your son at all. You suddenly appeared and declared me your son's fiancée," Mona retorted fiercely.

"Listen, Mona, your father and I have already agreed that you and Albert will be engaged. Don't bring shame upon your family with this behavior. Your father and mother will surely be furious with you," Mr. Martin reminded her.

"You made an agreement without my knowledge; that's truly unethical. Come on, Ethan, let's go inside!" Mona replied, pulling Ethan towards the house.

"Wait, Mona! I'll take my motorcycle and park it inside," Ethan said, moving to retrieve his bike.

Furious with Ethan, Albert suddenly kicked Ethan's motorcycle, sending it crashing to the ground. Ethan, who was holding the handlebars, nearly lost his balance but managed to steady himself.