Despairing, Ernest stammered, “I… I was foolish and did not recognize you, Defender. Please, War God, please spare my life, considering the contributions I’ve made to the country. Please, spare me!”
“Contributions?” Greedy Wolf scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. “Do you dare call your actions contributions? You kidnapped the Defender of Seclela’s wife! You murdered an important general of Seclela!”
“N-no! I didn’t!” Ernest trembled, his body shaking uncontrollably.
Kayden smirked coldly and countered, “Then do I have the right to take action against the Ford family now?”
Ernest turned to see Gerry, who stood frozen in shock. Clenching his teeth, he demanded, “Who killed Seclela’s important general? Who kidnapped the Defender’s wife?”
This was an accusation! In this critical moment, Ernest began to hold his family accountable, and the plot took a dramatic turn!
The Fords exchanged silent glances, no one daring to speak, their expressions filled with fear.
“Who was it?” Ernest shouted again, his voice booming like cannon fire.
Leonel shivered, sensing impending doom, and pushed Cutler forward. In the face of death, even brothers can be selfish.
Cutler stumbled a few steps and turned, stammering, “Uncle… uncle, it’s …”
Before Cutler could finish, Ernest, with red eyes, snapped, “Was it you?”
“N-no, no!” Cutler’s face went pale as he trembled, “It wasn’t me, Uncle Ernest! It wasn’t me!”
Without hesitation, Ernest drew a handgun and shot Cutler in the forehead. The act was swift and decisive, devoid of any hesitation!
Ernest’s ruthlessness reached its peak! In truth, killing Cutler was out of desperation. If he did not end one life from the Ford family, he couldn’t face these two godlike figures!
Poor Cutler died without understanding why he was killed by his once-admired Uncle Ernest.
Gerry was shocked. He never imagined Ernest would shoot his nephew!
This was the tragic spectacle of familial betrayal!
“Ernest Ford!” Gerry bit his lip, trembling as he uttered Ernest’s name, a devastating blow for him! To lose two sons in one day was a noble family’s greatest sorrow!
Ernest ignored Gerry’s cries, turning innocently to Kayden and stating, “What my brother does has nothing to do with me. Had I known they were involved in such acts, I would have stopped them.”
After saying this, he turned to the despairing Gerry, saying, “Gerry, I tried my best!”
Gerry, furious, pointed a trembling finger at Ernest, unsure what to do with Cutler’s corpse on the ground. He suddenly clenched his hands into fists, pounding his chest in agony, “Ernest, you are inhuman! Cutler was your nephew! Do you know how much he idolized you?”
“He has always looked up to you and treated you as his hero. But you’ve done this! You’ve disappointed me greatly. I raised you. And I’m the one who sent you to the region to be a soldier. Didn’t you say you could protect the Ford family as long as you were there? Now you’ve killed your nephew. Are you trying to sever ties with me?”
Ernest stood tall, his back straight, eyes fierce as he replied, “You raised me? How can you say that? Do you think I didn’t see through your schemes back then? Father valued and nurtured me. He intended for me to inherit the family head position. You sent me away for your benefit, claiming it was for my good, but in truth, you feared I’d take your place as the family lead!”
“Complete nonsense! I swear, if I had that thought, I’d suffer a terrible fate!” Gerry retorted vehemently.
“You already have a terrible fate! Can you honestly say that you didn’t plan this? Can you say that Father didn’t favor me? If it weren’t for you, I would have been the head of the Ford family by now.”
“Ernest, you’re just afraid of dying! If I hadn’t sent you to the military, do you think you would be where you are today? You should be grateful instead of blaming me.”
“Grateful? Gerry, do you know how I’ve lived these thirty-plus years? Did you think I enjoyed my time in the military? Do you think I reached my position by luck? Let me tell you, once I got into the military, I lost all my privileges. I suffered like everyone else, living in misery every day.”
“Do you know what got me to this position? My unwavering will! If my resolve weren’t strong, I’d have perished on the battlefield long ago. And do you know why I’ve never married? Because my cock was injured during training and can no longer perform! For a man to live like me-do you think I should thank you, my brother?” Ernest pounded his chest, a look of deep sorrow etched on his face.
Gerry swallowed hard, saying, “But you can’t blame me. Do you think I should be responsible for this?”
“If not you, then who should be?” Ernest took slow steps toward Gerry, his eyes sharp and fierce.
Gerry was about to respond when Kayden interrupted, “Enough! Stop acting in front of me. I bet next minute you two will sever your ties and clarify your relationships.”
This statement left both men awkward, their expressions instantly shifting. It was indeed their plan. Even if the Ford family could not be saved, they had to protect Ernest-living meant there was hope.
Ernest’s choice to sacrifice Cutler was precisely for this purpose: to prove to Kayden that he had no involvement. To show that as long as he found out who was responsible, he would not show any mercy! This was their scheme.
Before this act, Gerry and Ernest had exchanged glances!
But now, with Kayden exposing them, Gerry was left in utter despair.
Engaging in such childish tricks before Kayden was unwise. Not to mention the simplest ploy wouldn’t escape Kayden’s keen eyes. Kayden muttered, “Those who do wrong must face punishment. You will ultimately pay for your mistakes.”