In Inassea, at the Atkinson family estate.
The Atkinson family, as the preeminent clan in the Southwest region, held an unrivaled position in Inassea. With deep-rooted heritage, their mansion sprawled across thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of square meters. Surrounded by water and embraced by mountains, this estate sat on a tranquil island, its extraordinary nature evident at first glance.
The villa was fully equipped, boasting a basketball court, gardens, a boxing gym, fighting ring, and swimming pool, among other amenities.
However, at this moment, the Atkinson family’s grand hall stood eerily empty and quiet. Fletcher stood in the main hall, facing the hanging word “Atkinson” and the ancestral tablets, his face etched with rare worry and concern.
Although Fletcher was only in his forties, his face bore the weathered look of a seasoned veteran, appearing far older than his years.
Those familiar with his background wouldn’t be surprised. After all, he was a warrior from the battlefield. If not for that incident three years ago, he might still be commanding troops. A man who had faced death countless times and slain numerous enemy generals carried himself differently in his demeanor, the steel in his eyes, his mental attitude, and his approach to handling affairs.
His mere presence, a single glance, was enough to make one tremble, unable to meet his eyes. His style of conduct exuded innate dominance, especially in the past two years, as his methods became even more deeply ingrained.
The Atkinson family had been on the verge of being pushed out of the top three families, with the Henderson family taking the lead. But within three months of Fletcher’s return, the Atkinson family not only reclaimed the top position but far surpassed the Henderson family.
Now, the Henderson family could only look up in awe, even trembling before them. Fletcher’s status was unmatched, not just in Inassea, but even in Zlando, the city in Seclela.
His attitude towards handling matters was that any issue could be dealt with ease, and any problem could be solved.
However, just moments ago, he had received a phone call from the person he respected most, the one who had given him everything he had today.
On the phone, that person had bluntly told him that a member of the Atkinson family had offended him. If not severely disciplined, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Offending such a figure was tantamount to committing an unforgivable crime.
Which fool dared to offend the person Fletcher viewed as untouchable?
Fletcher had followed Kayden for five years, witnessing firsthand his brutality and cold-bloodedness. Although Kayden appeared to be just a wet-behind-the-ears youth, he showed no mercy in his actions.
Kayden had sworn at the border that all enemies who invaded Seclela would be annihilated. Since he made that bold declaration, no enemy crossing the border had survived.
No one doubted his capabilities. Fletcher, having witnessed it personally, held Kayden in deep reverence.
With just a word from Kayden, the Atkinson family could be reduced to ashes in an instant. In Kayden’s eyes, the so-called top family meant nothing.
Fletcher might not care about others, but he could only look up to and worship Kayden in this lifetime.
He would only show submit to Kayden.
Yet, someone had managed to provoke Kayden.
This was the source of Fletcher’s deep concern.
At that moment, a family of three entered the house. As soon as they stepped in, a middle-aged man who bore some resemblance to Fletcher spoke urgently, “Fletcher, come quick and see what state your nephew has been beaten into!”
This was Eliot Atkinson, Fletcher’s older brother and Nathan’s father.
Besides Eliot, there was a flamboyantly dressed woman. This woman in her fifties, well-maintained, looked only in her thirties, still quite attractive.
“Yes, Fletcher, come see, your nephew has been beaten! His face is so swollen,” the woman’s voice was choked with tears, as if she had just been crying. She held Nathan, her face full of distress.
“Fletcher, why aren’t you saying anything?” Eliot looked anxiously at Fletcher, who had his back to them.
Fletcher remained silent. The woman grew impatient and quickly said, “Fletcher, your nephew was beaten! That person even said he would beat you if you were there! He also said that if he wanted to destroy the Atkinson family, it would only take a word. Isn’t this blatant bullying? The Atkinson family has never suffered such humiliation! You must restore our family’s honor.”
“That’s right, Fletcher!” Eliot called out, his voice trembling.
At this, Fletcher slowly turned around, his gaze immediately falling on Nathan’s face. As soon as Nathan saw Fletcher’s look, he cried out pitifully, “Uncle Fletcher, that guy was too arrogant. I even mentioned your name, but he still beat me mercilessly! Look, these are all from his beating.”
As Nathan spoke, he showed Fletcher his swollen cheeks. What were originally just ten fingerprints had now swollen severely.
Fletcher took a deep breath, then said, “Unfilial son of the Atkinson family, Nathan, kneel down!”
These words stunned Nathan, leaving him confused and bewildered. Not just Nathan, but Eliot and his wife also exchanged glances, equally puzzled, not understanding Fletcher’s intention.
“Fletcher, what are you saying?” Eliot’s wife asked, perplexed.
Eliot also hurriedly asked, “Yes, Fletcher, what do you mean? What do you mean by ‘unfilial son’?”
“Kneel down!” Fletcher ignored the two and roared at Nathan again.
Instantly, a deathly silence enveloped the entire Atkinson family hall. Fletcher was furious, exploding with rage. This angry shout frightened Eliot and his wife, making them tremble. Nathan’s legs gave way, and he fell to his knees.
Nathan’s face showed rare fear; only when facing his second uncle would he be so terrified. Since childhood, Nathan had grown up hearing legends about his second uncle, a man who lived alongside death.
Seeing his second uncle like this now, how could he not be afraid?
“I warned you not to cause trouble outside. Don’t you know that because of your actions, the Atkinson family was nearly destroyed?” Fletcher questioned sharply.
Nathan blinked and said, “Uncle Fletcher, that person insulted you, saying he would beat you even if you were there! He wasn’t just bullying me, but our entire Atkinson family, slapping our family’s face. The Atkinson family is the top family in the Southwest, how could we ever suffer such humiliation? That guy is just an outsider, a country bumpkin!”