Chapter 185
“Alex, what the hell’s wrong with you? So you saved the old man-good for you. That doesn’t mean you get to “treat us like garbage!” Florence spat, practically shaking with rage.
She glanced at Sophia, her eyes flashing with worry.
If Alex dares to talk to my daughter like this, how long before he’s stepping on my entire family?
“You think we’re all beneath you now just ’cause Grandpa owes you his life p>
Alex answered with a dismissive snort. “At least I did something. All of you just stood around twiddling your thumbs while he was halfway to the grave. That’s on you. Maybe try having some shame next time p>
Florence’s face turned an unpleasant shade of purple. “You. You ungrateful little- Don’t go thinking you’re suddenly this big shot! You’re still nobody compared to our family p>
Before the shouting match could ramp up into fists flying, Abraham’s gravelly voice cut through like a razor.
“Enough! Both of you, shut it. You’re making fools of yourselves. Florence, take the others and get out, I need a word with Alex-alone p>
Florence glared one last time, then stomped out, dragging half the crowd with her.
The moment they were in the hall, the whispers turned vicious:
“You think Old Man Lancaster’s changing his will or something? Why else would he want that punk alone p>
“God, I hope not. Jack’s his actual grandson! Alex is just some nobody. Grandpa’s losing it in his old age p>
“Shh, shut up… He’s already made it clear he favors that guy for some weird reason. With our luck, maybe the entire family fortune’s going to him next p>
A sudden ringing cut through the gossip. Jack glanced at his smartwatch. “Sorry, that’s my buddy. Gotta run p>
Sophia’s eyebrows shot up. “Where are you going p>
Florence sighed, exhausted. “Where else? Some bar. When has he ever been useful for anything besides guzzling beer p>
“Tch, yeah, real responsible,” Sophia muttered darkly. With a brother like Jack, no wonder Grandpa seemed more impressed by Alex.
Inside the hospital room, Abraham leveled a grim look at Alex. “Thank you for helping me out p>
Alex folded his arms, “You’re not the type to roll over that easily. Someone must’ve gone to serious lengths to slip you poison. Any idea who p>
Abraham closed his eyes, his expression turning stormy. “Charles Kingston p>
A flicker of understanding crossed Alex’s face. “I had a feeling. He’s got his claws out for Sophia, right p>
“Damn straight,” Abraham growled, fists clenching against the hospital blanket.
“He showed up with her two days ago, spouting some nonsense about wanting to marry her. I told him to buzz off. Next thing I know, I’m coughing up blood p>
Alex exhaled, frustration edging his voice.
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“Yeah, well, good luck convincing your family. Half of them think he’s some business savior. They’re practically rolling out the red carpet, even though he’s a snake p>
They both sank into uneasy silence.
Hours later, Megan-one of the Lancaster Group’s employees-rushed in, still in her business attire, panting like she’d just sprinted a mile.
“Ms. Sophia! Something bad’s happened p>
“What?” Sophia asked, eyes narrowing,
“It’s Jack. He’s at some bar-Paradiso, I think-and he’s gotten into a fight. He’s drunk off his backside, and he’s in real danger. Word is, the other side’s got more people. A lot more p>
Florence practically screeched. “Who dares lay a finger on my son? I’ll kill them p>
Megan winced. “I, uh… I heard he started the fight. Something about a woman. There’s a big mob forming p>
“Doesn’t matter,” Sophia snapped. “He’s my brother. Let’s go. Megan, call for backup. Now p>
With that, Florence and Sophia thundered off, dragging half the family in their wake, each of them ready to storm the bar like they were in a bad action movie.
Meanwhile, in a different wing of the hospital, Alex’s phone buzzed.
Raymond’s voice crackled on the other end. “Yo, Alex. I found that five-hundred- year-old Wild American Ginseng you wanted. Are you free right now? Let’s meet p>
Alex’s eyes lit up. “Where are you p>
“Paradiso Bar. Come quick p>
“Got it. I’m on my way p>
He said his goodbyes to Abraham, hopped in a cab, and arrived at Paradiso Bar half an hour later-only to spot the entire Lancaster brigade loitering by the entrance, wearing grim faces.
Alex thought, rolling his eyes. Can’t I go anywhere without running into these people? (1)
Inside Paradiso, a huge crowd had formed around the barstools, half gawking at the spectacle, half acting as backup.
The center of the commotion? Jack and his ragtag friends, all on their knees.
Some sported black eyes, others clutched bloody noses, looking like they’d gone twelve rounds with a freight train. Sophia pushed through, her voice tight with anger. “Jack, what in God’s name happened to you p>
Jack’s face lit up at the sight of his sister. “Sis! Thank God! You gotta help us! They beat the crap outta us for no reason p>
Florence elbowed her way forward, eyes blazing. “My boy! Which worthless scum touched you? Point ’em out! I’ll tear ’em to pieces p>
Jack flung a shaky finger toward a small table.
A stunning woman in a slinky red dress sat sipping her drink, completely unfazed
as the younger man beside her
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Chapter 187
arrogantly spat on the floor in front of Lancasters.
Behind him stood several hulking bodyguards, each looking like they could snap Jack in two without breaking a
*sweat.
“That’s him!” Jack howled.
“That jerk took my woman, and his goons jumped me! They’re dead meat now- you’ll see. My sister’s the president of Lancaster Group. We’ve got business ties with the Kingstons. You guys are so done p>
The young man gave a lazy smirk, took another sip of his wine, and even kissed the beautiful woman beside him as if he were watching a boring TV show.
“Lancaster Group, huh? Should I be impressed p>
Florence puffed up like an enraged hen.
“You’d better be impressed, jerk. We’re powerful around here, so unless you’re suicidal, you’ll apologize to my son. And then-maybe-we won’t have you arrested p>
A ripple of snickering moved through the crowd.
The young man took a drag of his cigarette and blew out a thick cloud of smoke, unimpressed.
“Adorable. So, you’re telling me to beg for forgiveness… after you started the fight? Tried to steal my woman p>
He looked at Jack, who was swaying on his feet, reeking of booze. “Yeah, that’s
not happening. Let’s fight to the death, shall we p>
He took out a small knife and slammed it into the barstool, ready for blood.
Without Jack or the young man realizing it, the woman subtly exchanged a secret
smile with Charles, who stood behind Jack. 1
Something in her eyes seemed to say, “Mission accomplished p>
Charles responded with a slight nod, acknowledging her silent message.
‘Sometimes, the dagger doesn’t come from the enemy… but from the ones who
call you brother p>
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