Silence.
A hush so deep, you could hear a pin drop. The whole crowd, standing or seated, froze, all eyes locked on the grand spectacle before them.
This was the Scott family’s steward. So… that shabby-looking guy in front of them must really be the Scott family’s heir?
Beside him, Ivy Taylor was completely stunned. She’d sensed this guy was something special-after all, his cold, efficient way of saving her the day before wasn’t something just anyone could pull off. But she’d never dreamed his background was this powerful-someone would actually address him as “Young Lord.”
How ridiculous that she even entertained the thought, however briefly, that though he wasn’t up to her standards, if her daughter Vivian liked him, she’d make peace with it. Now, it was clear: she was the one who wasn’t worthy of him.
As Carson knelt, the group of black-clad men behind him also dropped to one knee, clasping their hands in a traditional salute.
“The Loyal House of the Scott family welcomes the Young Lord home!”
“The Righteous House of the Scott family welcomes the Young Lord home!”
“The Hall House of the Scott family welcomes the Young Lord home!”
A wave of voices echoed from the doorway, swelling like a crashing tide, washing over everyone.
Those who had been standing, sitting, and eating were left in sheer disbelief. Kyler Clarkson, sprawled on the floor, held his aching face as he stared at Kayden Scott, one bewildered thought after another crashing into his mind.
Young Lord? This guy’s got clout like that?
Why didn’t he know anything about this when they were back in Inassea?
Could it be… Could it be that the Atkinson family didn’t kill him because they didn’t dare to?
When Kyler was lost in thought, Kayden Scott’s quiet but firm voice filled the room. “Young Lord?” he said, his face showing a slight smirk.
Carson hastily answered, “Yes, you are the rightful heir of the Scott family. I am here under the family head’s orders to invite you back home, to take charge of the family.”
The Scott family heir! The words nearly made Finn Miller faint. Becoming the heir meant he was essentially like a crown prince of ancient times. And Finn had just brought a crew to mess with the future head of the Scott family? No, no-he had come to die.
Finn’s mind raced with fear.
He felt sweat bead on his brow as he thought, I’m done for!
“Heh!” Kayden Scott let out a bitter laugh, setting down his cutlery. Rising from his seat, he looked around and asked, “When did I ever agree to be the heir of the Scott family? Last time, I told you to inform Jason Scott that his grandson is dead. How did you people still manage to find me?”
Carson looked troubled. “Young Lord, you carry the Scott family blood. No matter what, you are part of this family. The family head deeply regrets the way he treated you in the past. Please, Young Lord…”
“Enough!” Kayden Scott’s voice thundered, his face turning fierce as veins bulged in his forehead. With a sudden slap, he smashed his hand against the table, shattering it completely, sending food and debris flying.
His fury was unmistakable. To him, the Scott family meant deadly enemies, not kinship.
Finn Miller, shaken, involuntarily took a step back. That slap had been terrifying; it had reduced the table to splinters. What would that force do to a person?
The room was silent. No one moved, not even Carson, who hadn’t expected Kayden’s fury to run so deep.
Kayden, towering and intense, cleared his throat and said, “If you all want me back so badly, then fine. I’ll go and kill that old man myself.”
With that, he turned on his heel to leave, leaving an icy atmosphere in his wake.
“Safe journey home, Young Lord!” Carson called after him with a trembling voice.
From outside, the chant repeated in perfect unison, “Safe journey home, Young Lord!”
As Carson rose to leave, he glanced disdainfully at Finn Miller and Kyler Clarkson, who was still sprawled on the floor.
Seeing that look, Finn Miller instantly panicked. Dropping to his knees, he stammered, “Carson, please! I never meant to disrespect the Young Lord. If I’d known he was from the Scott family, I wouldn’t have dreamed of offending him!”
Carson smirked. “The last guy who crossed us said the same thing before he died. But since today is our Young Lord’s homecoming, we’ll skip the bloodshed. Break his bones, so he’ll have to crawl from now on.”
He glanced over at a nearby guard, who stepped forward to carry out the order. Just as he moved away, Carson added coldly, “And as of now, Miller Group is history.”
Finn Miller’s world shattered. “No! Please, no!”
He pleaded desperately, but before he could say another word, a guard had gripped his leg. A sickening crunch followed as his bones snapped, the sound ringing through the restaurant along with his scream.
Next, it was Kyler Clarkson’s turn. His leg was broken in the same brutal manner, leaving both men writhing in pain on the floor.
Ivy Taylor, watching in horror, clutched Vivian tightly, and the two of them fled from the restaurant.
Outside, Ivy felt her whole body shaking. Just who was this man? How could he wield such power and cruelty so effortlessly? The Young Lord of the Scott family”-what did it truly mean?
Her thoughts drifted back to yesterday, to the way he had killed with such cold precision. No wonder he could take a life without flinching. Today’s experience had shattered Ivy’s worldview; she now understood that there existed people who could order death with a single word.
At that moment, Carson approached her, asking, “Miss, are you perhaps the wife of our Young Lord?”
Ivy’s eyes went wide. Her heart pounded as she shook her head. “No… No, I’m not!”