Everyone looked at Kayden with awe and reverence. He was a god, a celestial being who had descended to the mortal world.
Daphne could no longer find a reason not to be completely captivated by this man. He was too cool, too extraordinary. She felt grateful now that her first kiss had been with such a man. Before, she had regretted it, feeling it was a mistake. But now, she realized it was worth it-more than worth it.
On the other hand, Mary stared at Kayden, her emotions in turmoil. She hadn’t expected her cousin to fall for the same man. But who wouldn’t? A man like Kayden-so exceptional, so commanding-was irresistible to anyone.
Kayden, unfazed by the adoration or turmoil around him, continued moving. His gaze swept over the four figures on the ground. They were still alive, barely clinging to life. That had been intentional. He wanted them to suffer. He had warned them that they would regret not taking the chance to end their own lives, and he meant every word.
Now, his eyes locked onto their leader, the one who had been the most vocal. Step by step, Kayden approached him. The man was a broken mess, his body shattered, bones fractured. He could feel his own fragility with each labored breath. Watching Kayden come closer, his will crumbled.
“No!” he screamed, shaking his head in desperation. “No, please, no! Don’t!”
If it had been a swift death, he wouldn’t have feared it. He would have faced it with defiance. But Kayden wasn’t like anyone else. He was like an unmovable mountain, exuding an oppressive aura that crushed the man’s spirit with every step closer.
Kayden amplified the man’s deepest fear of death, turning it into an unbearable reality.
“Please! I’m begging you! Don’t do this!” The leader tried to crawl backward, his movements slow and agonizing, his panic palpable.
Kayden smirked coldly, a chilling laugh that echoed like the wails of vengeful spirits from the depths of hell.
When he reached the man, Kayden stood over him, his gaze sharp and merciless. The leader’s heart raced, threatening to stop altogether.
Suddenly, Kayden raised his foot and stomped down on the man’s chest. A scream tore from his lips as the pain and terror consumed him.
“You should pray for a quick death,” Kayden said with a voice as cold as ice. Then, raising his hand, he brought it down swiftly. A flash of white light sliced through the air, leaving a thin, clean cut across the man’s throat.
“Your blood will flow out slowly,” Kayden said. “You’ll watch as your life drains away.”
The man tried to speak, but as soon as he opened his mouth, blood sprayed out, silencing him. His hands clutched his throat in futile desperation. Regret consumed him. Why had he provoked such a man?
Kayden moved on to the others, one by one, repeating the same method.
Earlier, the John family had admired Kayden’s strength, but now they were terrified by his ruthlessness. Moments ago, his power had been awe-inspiring. Now, it was pure brutality.
That was the only word to describe it-brutality.
Memphis John, the patriarch of the John family, felt a wave of relief wash over him. He silently thanked the heavens that Kayden hadn’t been angry when he first arrived. If he had been, the John family might not even exist anymore.
It was all thanks to Professor Flores. Without him…
Memphis John took a deep breath, still shaken by the thought of what could have been.
The crisis had passed. As Kayden approached him, Memphis John’s emotions surged. Overcome with gratitude, he said, “Thank you, Dr. Scott. Thank you! Dr. Scott, you are truly the savior of the John family. Without you, we would be finished!”
Tears streamed down his face as he spoke, a mix of relief and joy overwhelming him.
“You’re too kind,” Kayden replied calmly, his tone steady and composed.
“No, no, I’m not exaggerating,” Memphis John insisted. “You are the greatest benefactor of the John family, our savior!”
With that, Memphis John dropped to his knees. Everyone behind him followed suit, kneeling in unison and shouting, “Thank you, Dr. Scott! The John family will never forget your kindness!”
Their coordinated voices echoed like a well-rehearsed chorus, their sincerity undeniable.
Kayden reached out and helped Memphis John to his feet. “Mr. John, you’re being too formal. This is simply what you deserve. You’ve always been a kind man, a respected figure in Vernon. Good deeds bring good fortune.”
His words were simple, but they carried weight.
At that moment, Kelvin, Memphis John’s eldest son, stepped forward with a playful grin. “Father, there’s no need to be so formal. If you act like this, Dr. Scott might feel distant from us. After all, he’s about to become part of the family.”
Then, turning to Daphne, Kelvin asked, “So, Daphne, when did you and Dr. Scott get together?”
To him, Kayden’s presence was clearly because of Daphne. Earlier, Daphne had said something that everyone in the John family had heard and believed-that she and Kayden were in a relationship.
Kayden, however, was utterly confused. He had no idea what Daphne had said. He had only come here to stop Memphis John from being killed. What did any of this have to do with Daphne?
The only impression he had of her was that she was far too forward. He still remembered that kiss from last time.
Daphne’s face turned crimson. She lowered her head in embarrassment and stammered, “I’m not talking to you anymore!”
With that, she turned and ran off, her face burning with shame. She was terrified that her lie might get exposed, which would be unbearably humiliating.
“Ah, this child,” Kelvin’s wife muttered, watching Daphne flee. “Why is she so shy? It’s just a relationship-what’s there to be embarrassed about?”
Kelvin turned back to Kayden and said, “Dr. Scott, it’s truly an honor for our family that someone like you would connect with Daphne. You’ve brought immense pride to the John family.”
As the atmosphere lightened and everyone began praising Kayden and Daphne, Mary stood silently to the side, her emotions tangled. She felt invisible-not just to the John family but to Kayden as well.
The man she had searched for over three days didn’t even acknowledge her presence.
Had he forgotten her?
Or perhaps… he had never intended to remember her in the first place.
Mary’s thoughts spiraled. Maybe he really had just gone to the restroom that day, not to help her at all.
The realization left her heart heavy with disappointment.
Listening to the John family’s lively chatter, Mary felt a pang of jealousy, sharp and bitter, like tasting something sour.