Eddie let out a sinister laugh after he finished speaking.
Since returning, he hadn’t been idle. He’d been using every means at his disposal to investigate that man.
George Philips had broken his limbs and humiliated his dignity as a man, but the real trigger for all of this was that guy-the man who claimed to be Ann’s boyfriend. If it weren’t for him, Eddie wouldn’t have provoked George Philips in the first place. Without provoking George, none of the subsequent events would have occurred.
So, at the root of it all, it was that guy’s fault! If Eddie was going to settle the score, he’d settle it with him too!
After finishing his rant, Eddie noticed Daniel and Langston staring at him, stunned. He hesitated for a moment and asked, “Dad, Grandpa, why are you looking at me like that? Don’t worry, I’ve investigated him thoroughly. He’s a nobody, just a joke.”
Langston felt his head buzzing. He had just been relieved that the Trenton family hadn’t offended that man, even planning how to curry favor with him in the future. But now-unbelievable!-this idiot of a grandson had caused such a disaster.
Daniel was just as dumbfounded. He stared at Eddie, his voice trembling as he said, “Oh God, oh God, how could I have a son like you?”
With that, he stormed toward Eddie and kicked him to the ground with one swift motion.
A crisp “crack” sounded as the freshly healed bone broke again.
Eddie, utterly bewildered, asked, “Dad, what are you doing? Why?”
“Why? You still have the audacity to ask why? You’re going to get us all killed! Of all people, you had to provoke Kayden?!” Daniel was so furious he felt like his head was about to explode.
Eddie replied helplessly, “Dad, that guy’s just a nobody! Why are you so worked up?”
“Nobody?” Daniel kicked Eddie again, seething as he shouted, “Take him away! I’ll deal with this idiot later.”
Amid Eddie’s screams, Daniel left the backyard.
Langston’s eyes had narrowed into slits, and his expression had completely changed.
“Dad!” Daniel began to speak, but Langston cut him off. “Say no more!”
—
After rescuing Wood Faulkner, Kayden took her back to Inassea to help her recover.
Fletcher Atkinson had already healed from the injuries inflicted by Kameron Moreno and was now recuperating at home.
Kayden didn’t bring Wood Faulkner back to the Henderson family but instead took her to the Atkinson family.
Although the Henderson family had rescued her, and she was technically their daughter-in-law, the situation with the Atkinson family was entirely different.
Fletcher Atkinson was one of Kayden’s subordinates. The Zodiac Generals were like brothers to him, so he felt more at ease at the Atkinson family’s residence.
However, upon arriving, Kayden was met with hostility. After all, he had killed Nathan, and Nathan’s parents had left the family in grief and hadn’t returned since.
The Atkinson family still harbored a deep grudge over the matter.
Even though Kayden had once saved the Atkinson family from ruin, their resentment lingered.
Kayden ignored their reactions. All he cared about was Wood Faulkner’s recovery. The Atkinson family’s resources and medical facilities were the best place for her to heal.
After several days of treatment, Wood Faulkner’s condition began to improve. Her ordeal had taken a toll on her already frail body, leaving her weaker than ever. She needed time and rest to make a full recovery.
Only after her body was completely healed could she undergo the memory recovery process Kayden had planned for her. It would be a long journey.
However, Kayden didn’t expect Wood Faulkner to know much about Hellblazer. Even Victor hadn’t uncovered much about it.
As such, Kayden maintained an indifferent attitude toward extracting information about Hellblazer from Wood Faulkner.
He knew that setting his hopes too high would only lead to greater disappointment.
“Defender, I’ve failed you and caused you trouble,” Fletcher Atkinson said, finally mustering the courage to approach Kayden after a long internal struggle. His face was full of guilt.
Kayden waved his hand dismissively. “It’s fine. This has nothing to do with you. They were targeting me.”
Hearing this, Fletcher Atkinson snorted coldly. “I can’t believe anyone would dare go after you! I’ve heard about what happened recently from Greedy Wolf. I want to return to the frontlines…”
Before he could finish, Kayden interrupted him. “Just focus on your duties as head of the family for now. There’s no need for you to return to the battlefield. Stay home and fulfill your responsibilities. I’ll call on you when I need you.”
Fletcher Atkinson wanted to argue but was silenced by Kayden’s firm tone. He nodded and walked away.
That night, Kayden sat cross-legged on his bed, meditating and resting his mind.
He pulled out the pendant he had obtained from Lacey Bennett. There was something about the pendant that he couldn’t quite explain-a feeling that wearing it brought an unprecedented sense of relaxation and calm.
It was an odd sensation, but one that compelled him to take the pendant without hesitation.
As he lay down, studying the pendant in his hand, he suddenly heard faint noises outside the door.
It was the sound of footsteps.
With his sharp instincts, Kayden immediately recognized it as someone walking.
The footsteps grew closer, and the door creaked open. The intruder’s movements were cautious, as if they were riddled with guilt.
Kayden remained still on the bed, calm and unbothered. He wasn’t anxious or tense; his demeanor was as composed as ever. He knew this assassin wasn’t a top-tier professional-such clumsiness was beneath the experts he was used to.
The sense of danger crept closer.
No, it wasn’t even danger-just a faint hint of risk.
Finally, he could feel someone standing by his bedside. The figure raised a dagger, glaring at him with fiery determination.
“I’ll kill you!” the intruder shouted, plunging the blade toward Kayden’s heart.
But before the dagger could reach him, a strong hand shot out and grabbed it firmly.
The assailant-a woman-was stunned. The dagger slipped from her grasp, and she let out a startled cry.
Kayden slowly opened his eyes, his gaze locking onto hers.
In the dim light, he could see her face-fierce yet panicked. Her features were striking, especially her large, captivating eyes.
In that instant, Kayden understood everything.
Their gazes met, and the world seemed to freeze.
It was as if time itself had stopped, and the air around them had turned to stone.