Pavilions and towers, mountains and gardens—all were encompassed within the vast estate.Winding paths and multiple turns led past numerous courtyards until, under the guidance of the old lady Mona Tucker, they finally arrived at a serene residence.It feels like an ancient grand mansion. Beneath all its antique charm lay extreme luxury and nobility.In the nearby church, the soft sound of prayers still echoed. In the spacious courtyard, lush greenery and a gentle breeze abounded. There was even a small stream with water gently flowing."Stand here!" Mona commanded coldly, leaving those words behind as she walked into the inner hall.Mason cast a cold, deathly glare at Austin before following Mona inside.Austin calmly walked over to the stream. The water was clear, and koi swam happily within it.He picked up a stone and casually tossed it into the water, startling the koi into a frenzy.Ezra and Aldus stood behind him, their expressions solemn. Austin's calm demeanor left the
"You..." Mason's face twisted with rage, his anger surging."Mason, silence!"Dorothy scolded in a stern voice. She glanced at Mason's bloodied face and said, "Take Mr. Mason inside to wash his face?"Mason was seething with anger, but he didn't dare to argue and obediently followed Mona into the inner hall.In the courtyard, the breeze blew gently.Dorothy stood calmly, her gaze dark and fixed on Austin."Do you realize that no one in the entire Campbell family has ever dared to insult me like this!"Her blunt question sent chills down the spines of Ezra and Aldus, making them shiver with fear.The mighty Campbells were ruled by Walter in the outside world. But everyone knew that within the Campbells, because of certain old rules, even though Dorothy was not Walter's biological mother, Walter had to show her respect.In comparison, within the Campbells, Dorothy indeed held a status akin to that of an empress dowager"Never before, but now... there is!" Austin smiled arrogant
Ezra's expression hardened, his resolve firm.He stepped in front of Austin and shouted at Dorothy, "Mrs. Campbell Senior, sir is Mr. Walter's son, a legitimate heir. Do you think you can abuse your power without consequence? Are you trying to change the Campbell family's name?""You're falsely accusing and turning things upside down. Wheres your sense of loyalty as a servant?" Dorothy's gaze was piercing as she waved her hand."Trying to use Walter against me? You, a mere servant, cannot, and neither can this illegitimate child! In this world, you must own up to your mistakes and take responsibility for them. This disrespectful mutt knows he's an heir yet openly defies family rules. I'm upholding the family law on behalf of Walter!"Today, not only will this wretch be severely punished, but he will also be stripped of his heir status!"Boom!Ezra and Aldus were shocked.Dorothy's true intentions were now clear. She had lost her patience and was ready to show her hand openly."
Clang!Sparks flew.In a flash, Austin tilted his head, raised his blade, and instinctively blocked. The bullet pierced the blade, whistling past and grazing Austin's cheek.In an instant, a searing burn spread across his face, making Austin frown in pain.The sudden gunshot brought the courtyard to a dead silence.Ezra and Aldus looked at Austin in a panic.Seeing that he was only grazed, they both breathed a sigh of relief, though their expression remained tense.Dorothy and Mason were also taken aback.After a moment of shock, Dorothy's face flushed with excitement, and she burst out laughing."Good, good, good!"The three "good" revealed her sense of relief and exhilaration. She laughed loudly, 'Which descendant of the Campbells is protecting me? This is a great deed!'"Just now, if it weren't for the secret shot, Dorothy did not doubt that Austin's sword would have come down on her.Such a brazen and rebellious person—what wouldn't he dare to do?Mason's eyes were fil
Meanwhile.Ezra slowly approached Austin and whispered, "Sir, this young man is Fabian Campbell, a member of the Campbell family. He was notoriously unruly and violent in his early years. When the Campbell heirs were being decided, he was excluded due to his temperament. So Mr. Walter ordered Aldus to recommend him to the Western Front to serve."Not an heir?!Austin was slightly surprised.He glanced deeply at Fabian and suddenly understood a bit more.Returning from the military and immediately firing that shot—could his purpose be that clear?Sensing Austin's gaze, Fabian's smile toward Aldus vanished. His expression turned cold and stern as he looked at Austin."This is the Campbell residence. I don’t care who you are or what your status is. If you intend to disrespect Grandma, you’ll have to answer to my gun first!"His words were firm and powerful. As he spoke, he slowly raised his gun again, pointing it at Austin."Fabian!" Aldus's expression turned fierce, and he shout
Everyone present turned pale.Fabian's expression hardened, veins bulging at his temples, his face twisted with rage."How dare you!""Why wouldn't I dare?" Austin sneered, his demeanor overbearing.In an instant, the courtyard was filled with tension, and the atmosphere was thick with hostilityEzra and Aldus wanted to intervene, but they knew it was too late to stop this. From the moment Austin had fought with Dorothy, things had reached the point of no return.Fabian's appearance, as Austin had said, was just an attempt to use him to climb the ranks. What Austin was doing now was shattering Fabian's plans.Suddenly, a burst of laughter broke the silence. Dorothy lowered her head, shaking with laughter.Everyone watched in bewilderment.Abruptly, Dorothy looked up. "Fabian, I wronged you back then by not giving you the status of an heir. If you kill this illegitimate child today, his heir status will be yours!""Mrs. Campbell Senior!"Ezra and Aldus both shouted in unison.
Walter sat in a wheelchair, his gaze like lightning, locking onto Dorothy.Behind him, Raquel was pushing the wheelchair, walking slowly, flanked by a dozen Campbell family members.The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.Even in a wheelchair, looking frail, Walter exuded a formidable aura that filled everyone with dread."Did Raquel find Dad?"Seeing Raquel, Austin immediately understood. He glanced at Ezra and Aldus, realizing that leaving Raquel outside earlier had been the right decision."Walter, this is my courtyard. What right do you have to barge in?" Dorothy was the first to speak out."Barge in?"Walter smirked. "Aunt Dorothy, you must be joking. I'm the head of the Campbells. Is there any part of this estate that I can't enter? Did you think that just because I respect you, you can treat this courtyard as your private domain?""You..." Dorothy's face twisted with anger, teeth clenched.Walter raised a hand to interrupt. "Calm down, Aunt Dorothy. I heard that there
The overwhelming coldness was chilling to the bone.Dorothy's face turned ashen, her features twisting in rage and fear.Walter's words were directed at her, reminiscent of that time at the Bamboo Parlor in the Tetra Club, when he had invited her to meet her end.Mason and Fabian were already terrified, feeling as if they were sitting on pins and needles, unable to stand still.Fear surged like a tide, threatening to drown them.If Walter dared to speak to Dorothy like this, what did that make them in his eyes?Ezra and Aldus were inwardly thrilled, clenching their fists in excitement.Austin's lips curled into a smile as he looked at Walter.Having Walter back him up felt incredible, it was a feeling he had dreamed of his whole life."My son Austin will not be humiliated by anyone."Walter's voice was cold as ice, imperious and domineering. "Even a rabbit can get angry. Why shouldn't my son fight back? Aunt Dorothy, if you were humiliated like this, would you meekly accept i