Blake Noire glanced curiously at his brother. “Brother, do you know this man?”
Eagle Noire chuckled softly. “Have you forgotten? That’s Chris!”
“What? He’s Chris?”
Blake Noire’s face was filled with shock.
Once upon a time, Chris had ruined Blake Noire completely, leaving him with nothing and turning him into a cripple. Later, Blake Noire joined hands with Howard Sample, but Chris killed Howard, leaving Blake so terrified that he lived each day in hiding.
Eventually, Chris disappeared for a year. With his absence, Blake Noire re-emerged into the world, thinking his nightmare was over. But today, to his disbelief, he encountered Chris again.
“Well, if it isn’t the famous Primus Chris! I heard you’re a cripple now,” Eagle Noire suddenly exclaimed loudly. His booming voice echoed across the restaurant, catching everyone’s attention.
Chris heard him but didn’t speak or even bother to lift his head.
Seeing Chris ignore him, Eagle Noire walked over with a smirk. “Chris, long time no see.”
As he spoke, Eagle Noire extended his hand for a handshake, but halfway through, he laughed mockingly. “Oh, my apologies-I forgot. You’re a cripple now, without arms.”
Beside him, Blake Noire sneered. “Chris, oh Chris. Weren’t you so arrogant before? And look at you now, a disabled man. Just goes to show, arrogance never leads to a good end. Sooner or later, you’ll offend someone you can’t afford to provoke.”
Upon hearing this, Harold stood up in anger.
“What nonsense are you two spouting?” Harold roared, ready to lash out.
“Sit down!” Chris commanded sharply.
Harold clenched his jaw but reluctantly obeyed, sitting back down.
Chris took a sip of red wine and asked calmly, “What’s your name again? I seem to have forgotten.”
Blake Noire’s expression darkened. “Chris, don’t play dumb. You expect me to believe you’ve forgotten our names?”
Chris chuckled lightly. “My apologies. Ever since I became a cripple, my memory’s been failing me. I can’t remember every random dog and cat anymore.”
“Is that so?”
Eagle Noire patted Chris on the shoulder with an ambiguous smile. “Well, I won’t disturb your meal then.”
With that, Eagle Noire and his group turned and left the restaurant.
Outside, Blake Noire, still fuming, said, “Brother, Chris ruined our Noire family. Now that he’s a cripple, this is the perfect time for revenge. Are we just going to let this go?”
“Of course not,” Eagle Noire replied coldly. “But Chris is cunning. Even without his arms, we can’t act rashly. I need to know more about his current situation before making a move. I have a plan, and I need you to follow it carefully…”
Leaning in, Eagle Noire whispered his plan into Blake Noire’s ear.
Blake’s eyes lit up as he listened.
“One year ago, Chris was formidable,” Eagle Noire continued. “Even we didn’t dare confront him head-on. But now he’s lost his arms-he shouldn’t be as strong as before. If you help me test his strength, I promise to help you regain everything you’ve lost.”
Hearing this, Blake’s face lit up with joy.
Ever since Chris had ruined him, his status within the Noire family had plummeted. The thought of reclaiming everything he’d lost was a powerful temptation.
Eagle Noire smiled, watching Blake. “Don’t worry. You’re my brother-I won’t harm you. No matter what happens, I’ll be behind you. Once Chris is dead, you can rise again in the Noire family.”
Blake clenched his fists tightly.
Once, he was a proud young master of the Noire family. But after encountering Chris, he had been reduced to less than a dog. His hatred for Chris ran deep, and the idea of killing him was sweet revenge.
“I’ve said all I need to say,” Eagle Noire concluded. “The choice is yours.”
He patted Blake on the shoulder and walked away.
Blake stood there for a moment, taking a deep breath. He clenched his fists and muttered through gritted teeth, “Chris, you ruined me. I’ll kill you for this!”
For years, Blake had lived in the shadow of Eagle Noire, but he didn’t want to remain beneath him forever. If he wanted to claim what he desired, his first step was clear: Chris had to die. Only by killing Chris could he regain what he had lost.
Blake’s every move was under Eagle Noire’s watchful eye. Seeing the determination on Blake’s face, Eagle Noire smirked.
To Eagle Noire, Blake was nothing more than a pawn, a useful tool to test Chris’s strength. Whether Blake lived or died was irrelevant to him.
In families as large as theirs, even brothers could betray one another.
“Chris,” Eagle Noire muttered to himself, “don’t disappoint me.”
At that moment, Chris was unaware of Eagle Noire’s plan.
Meanwhile, Chris and his companions arrived at the Vance family’s estate.
Caspian, the Vance family patriarch, wasted no time. “Chris, it’s good that you’re back. Candace is already over thirty and still unmarried. I need to ask-what are you going to do about this?”
Chris hesitated, looking awkward. He didn’t know how to respond.
Candace blushed and protested, “Grandfather, what nonsense are you talking about?”
“Candace,” Caspian said sternly, “I’m your grandfather. Your parents are gone, and if I don’t look out for you, who will?”
Chris knew he couldn’t stay silent any longer. He straightened up and said seriously, “Mr. Vance, I understand your concern. Candace has deep feelings for me, but I already have a wife and children. I can’t hurt my family because of this…”
“Enough!” Caspian interrupted, clearly displeased.
Turning to Esther, he asked, “Esther, what do you think? Candace is my granddaughter. I can’t just watch her grow old and alone.”
“I…” Esther hesitated, unsure of what to say.
Seeing her silence, Caspian pressed on. “Esther, I won’t force you. Take your time to think about it. I know Chris won’t abandon you to marry another woman, but I have a plan. I’ll ask Master William to grant a marriage between Chris and Candace. That way, both of you can stay by his side without issue.”