Chapter 458

"Uncle Walter, you've stalled long enough."

"I brought a pen. Just sign. The money will be in your account immediately."

Mr. Watson's face was tight. "Connor, I said no. It's the woodlot. The cherry trees are still there. I won't sell."

"I call you 'Uncle' out of respect for our village ties. My father and you have some history. Don't make this ugly. We still have to be neighbors."

Bang—

Sebastian Croix swung a club onto the table. "Bro, why waste words on this cripple? He won't listen until we teach him a lesson!"

"Sebastian! Shut up! Show some respect to your elder!"

"Respect my ass! He's stubborn. A beating will make him compliant!"

"Be patient." Connor signaled for his brother to calm down. He turned to Caleb. "If Uncle Walter won't sign, his son can do it. Sebastian—"

Sebastian grabbed Caleb by the collar and shoved a pen into his hand. "You're the educated one. Prestigious university. Don't make me get rough. Sign it. It's better for everyone."

Marcus Lawrence frowned. He knocked Sebastian's hand away and pulled Caleb back. "Use your words. Keep your hands to yourself!"

Sebastian's cold gaze swept over Marcus. "Who the hell are you? Ruined things yesterday, and now you're back. How many lives do you think you have?"

Marcus gave a cold laugh. "What? You'd actually try to kill me?"

"Heh. There's nothing I wouldn't do!"

"Then I just don't believe you today—"

"You're asking for it!"

The club swung down, but Marcus dodged it nimbly.

"Oho, some training?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow, a flash of excitement in his eyes.

"None of your damn business."

Sebastian's eyes turned fierce. He raised his club and charged. Marcus seized the moment to dart out the door.

"You little bastard—stop right there!"

One chased, the other fled.

Connor couldn't stop them in time.

Idiot! The goal today was to force the cripple to sign the contract, not to fight!

That city kid was clearly doing this on purpose.

Connor suddenly frowned.

What was his goal?

Buying time?

A distraction?

Wait—

There were two girls yesterday. Where were they now?

A bad feeling hit him. He stood and headed for the bedrooms.

He kicked open the nearest door. It was Mrs. Watson, bedridden and ill.

He cursed under his breath and pushed open another, quickly scanning it. Empty.

As he moved to kick in the last door, Mr. Watson rushed forward and blocked it with his arms.

"Connor Croix, don't you go too far!"

"Heh. Hiding the girls in here, are you? Get out of my way! I want to see what trick you're playing!"

Mr. Watson gritted his teeth. "This is my house. You have no right to—"

"Calling you 'Uncle' made you think you're actually senior? What are you?! I said, get out of the way!"

"Over my dead body—"

"Seems the girls are inside after all!"

Connor grabbed Mr. Watson by the shoulders and shoved him aside. He raised his foot to kick the door open.

The room was silent. Empty.

Why did the cripple block it then?

A sinking feeling settled in Connor's gut. Something was wrong.

He turned and seized Mr. Watson's collar. "Talk! What game are you playing?!"

Just then, a scream came from outside—

"Bro! Help me!"

Connor's face changed. He released Mr. Watson and rushed out.

Sebastian was sitting on the concrete in front of the house, a sickle embedded deep in his right thigh.

Half the blade was buried, almost piercing clean through.

"Sebastian—" Connor rushed forward, wanting to help but afraid to touch the weapon.

A large stain of blood soaked through Sebastian's fleece-lined jeans, the dark blue fabric turning black.

"Sebastian, how bad is it?! I'll call a car to get you to the hospital!"

"Don't—" Sebastian grabbed his arm, looking up slowly, his face contorted in pain. He glared hatefully at Marcus Lawrence nearby, and at Sophia Sullivan, Hannah Morse, and Chloe Sullivan Watson hiding by the side of the house.

"Bro, I can take it! Before the hospital, get payback for this!"

"And those two girls—I saw them filming on their phones. Don't let that video get out!"

Connor paused. "...Alright. Stop the bleeding first."

He took out his phone and dialed a number—

"Marco, my brother's hurt. Lend me a few guys..."

Marcus saw the situation turning bad and immediately moved to get Sophia and the others away.

Caleb called for his parents too.

But Connor wouldn't let them leave.

He cracked his neck, his knuckles popping. "Stab my brother and think you can just walk away? Not that easy!"

Marcus: "He ran into it himself. Who's to blame?"

"Kid, you've got some nerve!"

"Thanks for the compliment."

Connor laughed angrily, unsure whether to praise the foolhardiness or curse the audacity. "I wanted to settle this peacefully with a signature. But someone doesn't know when to quit, and stabbed my brother. Fine then. Nobody leaves!"

"Whether we leave or not isn't your call. Move aside—" Marcus stepped to the front, shielding the others.

Hannah stared at him, stunned.

For the first time, she thought Marcus wasn't just handsome, but really manly!

Seeing this, Caleb handed his mother to his father, picked up a nearby hoe, and stepped up beside Marcus.

Caleb: "We can't delay. We have to go now! Connor called for backup."

Marcus nodded.

Connor was tough, but with Sebastian injured and out of the fight, he couldn't hold off Marcus and Caleb alone.

Just as the two pushed Connor into a corner, ready to make their escape—

A group of rough-looking young men suddenly surrounded them.

Five or six of them!

Caleb's face paled. "They're here!"

Only five minutes had passed since Connor's call. They must have been from the village.

Connor scrambled up from the ground, furious. "Disarm them! Grab them all!"