It was truly outrageous. After all, he was the head of one of Hiphia’s most prominent families, a man who had long reveled in bullying others, yet now he seemed so insignificant and helpless! Before both Kayden and the Stone Chief, he had no status whatsoever.
The Stone Chief’s transformation was disheartening. Just a moment ago, he had referred to Gerry as an old friend, and in an instant, he became menacing.
This shift stripped Gerry of all his remaining bravado and confidence.
It also explained why he had always avoided conflict with the Stone Chief. The creature was unpredictable-when he was in a good mood, he might comply with your wishes, but when displeased, he could utterly destroy you.
“Then tell me, who do you want to eat?” Gerry asked helplessly.
Stone Chief licked his lips, his gaze darting between Cutler and Leonel, both of whom trembled in fear.
Cutler’s reaction was the most extreme; he urinated in his pants, his legs giving way as he nearly collapsed to the ground.
“Dad, I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!” Cutler pleaded desperately, tears streaming down his face as he looked at his father, evoking a sense of pity.
Even a fierce tiger wouldn’t eat its cub. How could Gerry make such a cruel decision?
After all, these two were his sons. He originally had three but had already lost one. ‘If I pushed another into death, wouldn’t that leave me with only one son?’ Gerry thought,
The family’s bloodline should be passed down through generations, yet now it seemed Gerry was about to lead his son to his doom. In essence, he was severing his lineage.
His gaze shifted back to Leonel, who looked pale and incredibly tense. The fear of being eaten was unfathomable, a more horrifying prospect than death itself, especially since he had just witnessed his older brother’s corpse being devoured.
When Gerry’s eyes locked onto him, Leonel froze.
‘What did this look from father mean? Did he intend for the Stone Chief to eat me?’
A wave of panic surged through Leonel, but he quickly regained his composure. As the most qualified heir to the family headship, he couldn’t appear foolish by lacking adaptability.
After a shiver, Leonel stammered as he looked at the Stone Chief, “Um… could you eat someone else? I promise to bring you someone of high status, someone whose position rivals ours. I guarantee that if you spare us and kill that person, you will receive unexpected rewards.”
Before he could finish, Stone Chief suddenly raised his hand and slapped him hard. In an instant, he appeared beside Leonel like a ghost.
His movements were swift and precise. He grabbed Leonel by the throat, pushing him back and firmly securing his grip. This scene shocked everyone, even Gerry gasped in terror.
Tension among the Fords reached its peak, everything happening too suddenly.
With bloodshot eyes, Stone Chief glared at Leonel and roared, “I’m speaking with your father. It’s not your place to interrupt!”
This was Stone Chief’s nature-volatile and ruthless, making it impossible to predict his next move.
He then turned his gaze to Gerry, coldly stating, “Gerry, your son is uncouth and always thinks he’s clever. I’ll handle him for you to save you the trouble.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the black shadow behind him seemed to open its gaping maw and let out a monstrous roar, as if it were about to swallow Leonel whole. Fortunately, it was not a physical entity. Otherwise, Leonel would have been consumed by now.
In front of Stone Chief, even though Leonel was typically clever, he lost his ability to speak once silenced. Gripped tightly by the throat, he felt as if his lifeline had been cut off, unable to move, panic engulfing him.
“Stop!” Gerry trembled as he raised his hand, making a stopping gesture, urgently saying, “Wait, wait!”
“What? Do you want me to keep one alive and eat the other?” Stone Chief asked, his gaze shifting back to Cutler, and upon seeing him, he unconsciously licked his lips.
Cutler’s legs turned to jelly once more, collapsing to the ground in fear.
The majesty of the Ford family was obliterated in that instant. Faced with death, even the prestige of an illustrious family seemed utterly powerless.
Gerry’s insides quaked. No matter what decision he made, endless suffering awaited him.
Taking a deep breath and pondering repeatedly, he seemed to make a shocking choice. Locking his gaze onto Stone Chief, he gathered his courage and said, “Eat me!”
His words froze time and space as if everything had come to a halt.
Gerry appeared resolute, his eyes reddening as he declared, “I am the head of the Ford family, a position of great power, with the authority to dictate this big family. In all of Hiphia, I can’t say I control everything, but I at least hold a certain status. If you eat me, you’re consuming true nobility. Spare my two sons and eat me!”
He raised his hand, pounding his chest with determination.
Both Cutler and Leonel were stunned, unable to fathom why their father would make such a choice at this moment. This was self-sacrifice to save his children-a true testament to a father’s love.
“Dad! No!” Leonel managed to squeeze out the words, despite his throat being constricted. He shouted as best as he could, his voice heart-wrenching.
“Dad! It’s all my fault for being useless!” Cutler suddenly knelt, tears streaming down his face.
This was also Gerry’s love for his sons-a father’s most selfless devotion. If forced to choose between his children and himself, Gerry would willingly sacrifice his life. Having lived seventy-eight years, his time was limited, while his two sons had decades ahead of them. Why not trade his life for theirs?
To outsiders, Gerry might appear ruthless, but when it came to his sons, he was undoubtedly a dedicated father.
Not only the other male members of the Ford family but even the women wept for the head of the family, filled with sorrow.