With that, Cheryl burst into a triumphant cackle. None of the other Stones dared to step forward on Celena's behalf, not even Yafe. He stood amongst the crowd, staring at her calmly as though this was not his daughter being carried away. Sherah and Qemal, on the other hand, could not hide their smiles as they watched. The rest of the family would not dream of putting themselves in trouble just to save Celena. If anything, they were all trying to stand as far away from her as possible for fear they would get into trouble for simply being associated with her. Celena felt her heart sink. She gazed in despair at her family members but was met only by contempt and hatred. Even her grandfather, the kindest and gentlest person she had ever known, was staring at her with such a cold look that it sent chills down her spine. Celena wailed, "Grandpa, why are you doing this to me? I'm your granddaughter! Don't you remember how much fun we had together when I was a child?"However, before Re
Liam blocked the Jeep's path. He peered through the windshield and caught sight of Celena and Jovie's tear-streaked faces, etched with terror. His eyes narrowed, a lethal intent rising within him. His gaze turned frosty as he locked eyes with the soldiers stepping out of the vehicle and thundered, "Let go of my wife and kid! Do that, and maybe I'll let you live!!""Outrageous! To think you'd dare block a military vehicle in a war zone and interfere with official business! Someone, take him out right here, right now!!" The company commander was fierce, arching his brows challengingly. He gestured decisively to his men, signaling the command.No sooner had he spoken than the soldiers lunged at Liam, ready to subdue him on the spot.However, then!With a roar, Liam's presence exploded, a chilling aura of death emanating from him. Like a razor-sharp panther, he leaped into action. His blows sent the three advancing soldiers flying in an instant. Then, Liam stood before the company comm
The company ommander was pinned to the car's hood, his mind blank with terror. The crushing fear around his neck jolted him back to his senses. Despite being a seasoned soldier, he felt utterly powerless before Liam, like an ant squaring off against an elephant, with no will to fight back. The difference in strength was overwhelming.The man standing before him exuded a fearsome presence.Who was that man, with an aura so daunting, so bone-chillingly intense?He had only felt something similar once before, years ago at a Biskeland annual rally from Northern Biskeland's top brass, Cisco Quigg. Yet, that man's presence dwarfed even Cisco's, more startling, more terrifying."Just... just do what he says!"The commander's voice shook as he spoke, his eyes pleading with Liam, silently conveying that he had complied.No sooner had he spoken than the soldiers with him quickly stripped their pistols of their magazines and tossed the weapons to the ground.For soldiers, obedience was the
The company commander stumbled off the car hood, clutching at his bruised neck and heaving for breath. In a swift motion, he yanked his gun from his belt, pressing the icy barrel against Liam's forehead. "Damn you! Obstructing official duties, attacking a soldier? I should shoot you on the spot!"He cocked the gun, thumbing off the safety, finger trembling on the trigger.However, then, he froze. He could not move a muscle.Because Liam, with his fiery gaze locked on him, seemed to summon an onslaught of vengeful spirits. His aura was unyielding, crashing down on the company commander like a tidal wave.The company commander was petrified; his body was no longer his own. That single look from Liam made him feel like a mere ant before a battle-hardened general, an untouchable giant."Shoot? Go ahead, if you've got the nerve," Liam taunted.Liam's roar thundered through the air, a shockwave that made the company commander's hands tremble, and his gun nearly slip from his grasp. He
The company commander's face twisted in anger, his features contorting as he tried to muster a comeback. However, Andrews cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Take them all away!"With that order, the soldiers leapt into action, rounding up the company commander and his men, and marched them off into custody.Lieutenant Andrews spun on his heel, strode over to Liam, and snapped a crisp salute. "Mr. Cole, my apologies for our tardiness! You and your wife must have been quite alarmed. We're here under General Lynch's orders to ensure your safety. The General sent a message. For now, your security is our duty. You and your wife can breathe easy."Liam gave a slight nod, and catching the cue, Andrews withdrew with his squad.Quiet reclaimed the Stone residence in minutes, leaving Celena rooted to the spot, her face a mask of shock. She was still piecing together the sudden turn of events. Had Andrews and his team shown up for Liam?Andrews mentioned orders from General Lyn
Celena had lifted Jovie's shirt and was met with her little back, tender and swollen red. The memory of Jovie being flung to the ground by a soldier sent her into a panic. She turned to Liam, her voice trembling, "Liam, hurry! We need to get Jovie to the hospital. They threw her onto the floor!"Liam's face went pale, and he quickly scooped Jovie from Celena's arms, dashing to the hospital.Back at the entrance, the Stone family was in an uproar as Liam disappeared from view.Reginald stood rooted to the spot, his face a mask of conflicting emotions, lost in thought. The rest of the Stone family buzzed with anxious chatter."Now what? Liam's really done it this time, crossing Trevyn. We might all end up on the bad side of the Hughes family because of this!""Grandpa, what's our move? You've got to decide quickly. Celena and Liam have really done it this time, completely alienating the Hughes family. We, the Stones, are going to get caught in the crossfire!" The room was a cacophon
Then, a thunderous boom echoed through the air!Trevyn's foot sent the coffee table flying, his good looks marred by a scowl. His eyes blazed with fury as he roared, "Malcolm! Oh, he's playing it smart! Acting all buddy-buddy with Liam, but he's really just throwing his weight around, warning me under the guise of friendship! He wants all those high-and-mighty families in Drunham City and Roselle City to know he's the top dog!"I'll get back at them for every ounce of shame, just you wait till I'm in charge! Tell our guys to lay low for now, no more trouble-making for Malcolm to pounce on! And get someone on Liam and the Stone family, keep them under our thumb!"The soldier nodded and beat a hasty retreat from the hall, leaving Trevyn seething in a storm of rage.Just then, Patrick strolled down the stairs, took in the sight of Trevyn's fury and the chaos, and stepped up quickly. "What's got you so worked up, Trevyn? Didn't you send someone to fetch Celena and that brat? Where are
"Fiance? Yeah, right. Everyone knows you got dumped. Are you still clinging to that title? He wouldn't take you back even if you paid him!"The bodyguard laughed scornfully at Cheryl's outburst, throwing back a harsh retort without a second thought for her being a woman or Reginald's age. They pinned the trio to the ground and did not stop until they had thoroughly thrashed them.Yafe did everything he could to shield Reginald. Seizing a moment, they scrambled back to the car and beat a hasty retreat.Reginald's face bore the marks of the scuffle, and Yafe was battered, his back marked with the distinct imprint of shoes. Cheryl was a complete mess. Her hair was askew, her face swollen, a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth, and missing a shoe. She sat on a chair, hand over her mouth, tears streaming down her face.Reginald had his hand pressed against his throbbing cheek and roared with fury, "This is a complete disgrace! If it weren't for that Liam, I wouldn't be facing su