He could only remain silent at first, dealing with each challenge as it arose.

Seeing Dean say nothing, Niel's mother revealed a slight smile. "I've heard Niel mention you. A detective from Los Angeles, is it? You must be very familiar with firearms, then?"

"Just a little," Dean chuckled dryly as he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, shook one out, and respectfully offered it to Niel's mother. "Auntie, you smell rather strongly of smoke. Is something troubling you? Perhaps I can help!"

This maneuver seemed to completely fluster Niel's mother.

Seeing he had disrupted Niel's mother's composure and rhythm, Dean pressed his advantage. With a sincere expression, he said, "Auntie, Niel often tells me how much of a strong woman you are, even saying you're the idol she admires most. I used to think that was just Niel viewing you through the fond filter of a daughter, but meeting you today, I realize she was actually being modest."

Niel's mother chuckled at Dean's words. GIGGLE. She covered her mouth and rolled her eyes playfully at him.

No wonder her daughter did such an outrageous thing last night. Indeed, most women would find it hard to resist the advances of a man as tall, handsome, and brazenly charming as Dean.

Dean chuckled along. HEHE. He then looked up at the darkening sky and proactively said, "Auntie, it looks like it's going to rain again. My business here is concluded. I was wondering if you have some time? I'd really like to discuss my and Niel's future plans with you."

"There's no need!" Niel's mother took the cigarette Dean offered, lit it, and exhaled a thin stream of smoke. She sighed. "I've already spoken with Niel. It was the first time she's ever argued with me. Men... they truly are trouble!"

She shook her head and gestured to the side. A tall woman, seemingly a passerby, immediately approached holding a handbag. She took a checkbook out of it and placed it in Niel's mother's hand.

Niel's mother flicked the checkbook in her hand. "Speaking of which, a woman indeed needs to experience men to grow. I'll give you two options!"

Dean knew. Niel's mother, who had managed to build a career in a foreign country while raising little Niel, was definitely no harmless rabbit. Such people usually had tenacious willpower; once they made a decision, mere words couldn't easily sway them.

He stood straight and said in a solemn tone, "Please, go on."

"The first option: I'll give you one hundred million US Dollars, and you change your name to Dean Lucches. This way, your future children with Niel can carry my surname. Since you already have Lucchese Family blood, it wouldn't be demeaning for you!"

These terms were indeed very generous. It achieved the goal of Dean marrying into the family, considered his dignity, and even offered a huge sum of money as temptation. Unless a man was overly particular, it would be hard to refuse.

Dean nodded. "Auntie, what is the other option?"

Seeing Dean hadn't agreed immediately, a flash of disappointment crossed Niel's mother's eyes. She said flatly, "The second option: after you and Niel marry, you are to have many children. I want to adopt one to inherit my business empire. You and Niel, however, won't receive a single penny!"

"I choose the second one!" Dean's tone was firm.

What a joke. Niel's mother only had one daughter. Even if a child was formally adopted by her, it would still be his own child. It's all mine in the end anyway. Only a fool would choose the one hundred million!

Niel's mother exhaled a puff of smoke, a hint of melancholy in her expression.

DAMN IT! This pretty boy really isn't easy to fool.

She said, a little unwillingly, "There's still another option. Don't you want to hear it?"

Dean smiled sheepishly. "Auntie, please don't joke. The third option... that must be why you were looking to buy a gun, right?"

Niel's mother was silent.

His ability to read people is truly sharp.

After their "friendly" exchange, Niel's mother left Dean a business card, saying, "Niel told me about your... special needs. Although I'm somewhat skeptical, if you ever require it, call this number. And don't mess with those unsavory women out there! I don't want my daughter catching any venereal diseases!

"Moreover, if you dare to make my daughter unhappy, I swear, even if you flee to any corner of Mercury, a bounty of a full one billion US dollars will let you know what it means to have no place to hide in this vast world!"

With that, Niel's mother turned and left, every bit the matriarch.

The "passersby" who had been lingering nearby also vanished.

Clearly, their meeting had been deliberately arranged.

Dean stared at the business card in his hand. "Paradise Island" – it sounded anything but reputable. He was left speechless.

His mother-in-law providing her son-in-law with a contact for prostitutes... How could anyone make sense of that?

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