Mia froze slightly, her gaze fixed on the bank card in Flynn’s hand, momentarily stunned.
“Flynn, what are you doing? We don’t lack anything at home. I can’t take this money!” Mabel Sweetwood refused firmly.
James, however, took the card straight from Flynn’s hand and said, his tone cold, “Mabel, stop pretending everything’s fine. Don’t you know the state of this family?”
“Back then, because you helped Adrianna, we were crushed by the Clark family. Paxton even severed one of your hands. What’s wrong with taking his million dollars now?”
“What?!” Flynn’s expression changed instantly, his eyes falling to Mabel Sweetwood’s hands.
Mia, hearing her father’s words, felt a pang of bitterness and sorrow rise in her heart.
“Flynn… that’s all in the past. Let’s not talk about it, okay?” Mabel Sweetwood tried to dismiss it with a smile. “I’ll make us some food. We can-”
But her right hand trembled as she moved, shrinking slightly. Flynn’s sharp eyes caught the movement, and his gaze locked onto her hand. His heart sank as he realized-it was an artificial hand!
“Mabel, let me see!” Flynn didn’t wait for permission. He gently picked up Mabel Sweetwood’s right hand and removed the prosthetic.
The stump was cleanly severed, but an ugly, twisted knot of flesh jutted out below-a grotesque reminder of the brutality she had endured.
The wound wasn’t caused by a clean cut. Half of her hand had been hacked off, and the rest had been cruelly torn away by sheer brute force.
The pain must have been unimaginable.
Paxton, you deserve to die.
Your entire clan deserves to die.
Flynn’s hands trembled as he held the prosthetic, his eyes reddening. He could vividly imagine the scene-Mabel Sweetwood screaming in agony, her voice hoarse, as Paxton ripped her hand away.
Mia turned her head away, unable to bear the sight of the wound. Tears welled in her bright eyes, blurring her vision.
Every time this was brought up, it reminded her of the Duffy family’s two decades of suffering. The pain was too much to endure.
“Mabel, I’m sorry. My mother and I brought this upon you. But don’t worry-everything Paxton inflicted on you, I will return to him a thousandfold!” Flynn’s voice was low, each word carrying a deadly resolve.
“Return it?” James sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “And how exactly will you do that? Even if you’ve achieved some success in Niarak and appear to know Bobby Sheppard, do you have any idea who you’re up against?”
“Bobby Sheppard is a nobody compared to Paxton.”
“The Clark family is the most powerful in Slatin. They have connections in the military, politics, and business. Mike Clark is even one of Talon Emberhart’s closest allies! The Clark family’s influence is almost untouchable.”
“Do you think you can stand against the Ostrad military? You’re nothing but an ant to them.”
Flynn didn’t react to James’ mocking tone. Instead, he bowed slightly, his voice filled with sincerity.
“James, Jessica told me everything about the Duffy family.”
“Thirty years ago, the Duffy family was one of the top families in Slatin, with assets worth tens of millions. Adjusted for today, that wealth would have multiplied a hundredfold.”
“It was because of my mother and me that the Duffy family fell to ruin, dragging everyone down. Yet, despite everything, you never abandoned Mabel. Instead, you stayed by her side for over twenty years.”
“I can see that you’re a man of deep loyalty and love. I know no amount of apologies can make up for what you’ve endured.”
“But I promise you this: I will rebuild the Duffy family. It will reclaim its place as one of Slatin’s top families, even surpassing the Clark family.”
“Give me ten days. That’s all I need-ten days-and everything will be resolved.”
Flynn’s words were calm but carried an unshakable determination. He understood James’ resentment toward him and his mother. After all, a thriving family had been reduced to rubble because of them. Even the most forgiving person would harbor some bitterness.
But Flynn also saw the love James held for Mabel Sweetwood. He had never left her side, not even in their darkest days.
Flynn could destroy the Clark family immediately, but he had done his research. Several of the forces that had helped the Clarks persecute his mother and target the Duffy family were not currently in Slatin.
For example, Ryder Caldwell, the wealthiest man in Slatin, and Layla’s father-who had persuaded the Clark family to send him to Demon Island-were both out of town.
They were scheduled to return for Tessa Watson’s birthday.
If Flynn acted now, these people would go into hiding, making them harder to track down.
This had to be done thoroughly. No loose ends. No future threats.
“Alright, kid. It’s enough that you have the heart to want to help. We don’t expect you to actually do anything,” James sighed. “But remember, Slatin is the Clark family’s territory. Don’t stir up trouble with them again. You’ve just gotten out of prison-focus on living an honest life.”
“Stay here for dinner tonight, but leave tomorrow.”
To James, Flynn’s bold claims were nothing more than empty words. Just like a child swearing vengeance after their family was destroyed by a god-naive and foolish.
He didn’t doubt Flynn’s potential; Jessica had told him about Flynn’s exceptional medical skills. In twenty years, Flynn could build connections with powerful people.
But to take down the Clark family in ten days? It was absurd.
And even if Flynn managed to make powerful allies, could they possibly surpass Talon Emberhart?
Mia, her eyes filled with worry, added softly, “Flynn, this happened over twenty years ago. Mother’s health has suffered ever since-she can’t take any more stress.”
“Flynn, please don’t provoke the Clark family again.”
“Her health?” Flynn turned to Mabel Sweetwood, his concern evident. “Mabel, what’s wrong? Where are you feeling unwell?”
Mabel waved her hand dismissively, smiling gently. “It’s nothing serious-just some minor ailments. I’ve been taking medicine for it. Jessica says you’re skilled in medicine. Maybe you can take a look at me later.”
“But first, let’s eat! Jessica said you love noodles, right? I’ll go buy some ingredients and make a feast!”
With that, she got up and left the house.
Flynn watched her go, noticing the slight tilt in her posture as she walked. Her waist was injured.
“James, is Mabel’s back injury internal or external?” Flynn asked, his voice tight with worry.
James sighed deeply. “Both. My leg still aches, especially on rainy days. And Mia… she was born with a congenital heart defect because of what happened back then.”
Hearing this, Flynn’s rage surged, his voice trembling with barely controlled fury. “James, tell me-what exactly did Paxton do to you that year?”
Flynn had been only five years old at the time. Adrianna, fearing the trauma would scar him, had used silver needles to seal his acupoints, putting him into a deep sleep.
He had no memory of what had happened during their escape from Slatin.
James’ face darkened, fear flickering in his eyes. After a long pause, he sighed heavily.
“I suppose it doesn’t hurt for you to know. Maybe it’ll stop you from provoking the Clark family any further.”
“That day… it was horrific. Truly horrific. Slatin became a sea of blood.”
“Your mother… she went mad trying to protect you. It was then I realized just how terrifying her abilities were. She was like a demon, unstoppable.”
“But Paxton was cruel-inhuman. He’d been planning to kill your mother for six months before that day…”