A commotion erupted.
The room was in an uproar as Finnian’s circle of friends exploded with shock and disbelief. His reputation, carefully built over the years, was crumbling before their eyes. The people gathered here were not just his acquaintances-they were colleagues, supervisors, and influencers in his professional life. The collapse of his image meant a steep and irreversible decline in his future prospects.
“Finnian is truly shameless! How could he covet his own brother’s wife?”
“Exactly! John treated him like a brother, and this is how he repays him? Despicable!”
“Do you think he befriended John just because he wanted May? This man is terrifying!”
“I used to invite him over to my house often. Now I’m worried-what if he had designs on my wife too? Absolutely disgusting!”
“You’re right. I’ll have to ask my wife about this when I get home.”
“This guy is rotten to the core. He’s got an ugly face and an even uglier soul!”
The voices rose in a cacophony of accusations, each one harsher than the last.
John stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock, his mind a storm of emotions. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Finnian, his so-called brother, had betrayed him in the worst way possible.
“Finnian!” John roared, pointing a trembling finger at him. “You’ve gone too far! I treated you like family, like a brother! And this is how you repay me? You’re nothing but a beast, a wretched beast! I’ll make you pay for this!”
John lunged toward Finnian in a fury, but others quickly stepped in to restrain him.
Turning his focus to May, John’s eyes burned with anger and betrayal. Sensing his gaze, May quickly defended herself. “This has nothing to do with me! I would never do something so shameful. I’m a wife and a mother-I know my boundaries. Yes, he sent me inappropriate messages, but I always rejected him.”
Her words revealed that there had indeed been prior contact between her and Finnian. This revelation only deepened John’s rage. He clenched his fists, his teeth grinding in frustration.
Kayden watched the scene unfold. This was the outcome he had anticipated. What happened next was up to them. May’s questionable behavior had been evident to Kayden for some time. Although things had not yet escalated to an irreparable point, it was clear that, left unchecked, trouble was inevitable. Now, at least, May would think twice before crossing any lines.
Kayden turned to John. “Uncle Baker, from now on, this place is yours. You decide who stays and who leaves.”
He handed the keys to John. Startled, John waved his hands in refusal. “No, no, I can’t accept this! It’s too much. I don’t deserve it.”
He sighed deeply and added, “With my current status, living in a place like this would only invite ridicule. I can’t do it. It would be an insult to the home itself.”
Kayden’s expression hardened. He pressed the keys into John’s hand and locked eyes with him, his voice firm and commanding. “Uncle Baker, never forget who you are. You were my father’s most trusted ally. Do you remember how respected and admired you were in Vernon? You’ve fallen, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay down.”
“Uncle Baker, no matter where you are, never underestimate yourself. If you don’t respect yourself, no one else will. You’re John. You’re John Baker!”
Those words struck John like a bolt of lightning. He stared at Kayden, his mind flooded with memories of his glory days. He had been someone once. He had commanded respect. How had he let himself sink so low?
“Master Kayden!” John gripped the keys tightly, nodding resolutely. “Alright, I’ll take them. I’ll accept this, for you-for the sake of protecting this place!”
Tears welled in his eyes as he continued, “You truly are Mr. Scott’s son. You carry his pride as if it were your own. If Mr. Scott were here to see the man you’ve become, he would be proud.”
Kayden nodded slightly, saying nothing more.
From the corner of the room, Captain Johnson observed John with a calculating gaze. He could tell that John was about to rise again, reclaiming the respect and dignity he once commanded.
Though Kayden had lost his military authority, his charisma and natural leadership were undeniable. His ability to inspire and rally others made it easy for him to take control of any situation.
“Captain Johnson, thank you for coming all this way,” Kayden said, his tone shifting back to the matter at hand. “Let’s address your issue now.”
Captain Johnson’s eyes widened with excitement. “Really? You mean it?”
Kayden nodded. “Of course. Would I joke about something like this?”
“Thank you! Thank you so much, Mr. Scott!” Captain Johnson was overwhelmed with gratitude.
“Uncle Baker,” Kayden said, turning back to John, “wait here tonight. I want to hear more about my father. In the meantime, handle your family matters.”
He knew John would need time to confront May, and he wasn’t in a rush to interfere.
Soon, Kayden and Captain Johnson left for the latter’s home.
When they arrived at Mike Johnson’s neighborhood, Kayden paused, scanning the area.
“You just moved here, didn’t you?” he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Mike nodded. “Yes, about three and a half years ago. This is a new place I bought.”
The neighborhood was modern and well-maintained. Kayden’s question stemmed from the observation that everything appeared new.
Kayden strolled through the area, taking in the surroundings. After a brief inspection, he shook his head. “The neighborhood seems fine. Its layout and feng shui are good. The issue must be inside your home. Take me there.”
Mike looked at him in surprise. “Mr. Scott, you know feng shui?”
Kayden raised an eyebrow. “Why, don’t you believe in it?”
Mike hurriedly shook his head. “I do! Maybe I didn’t before, but now I definitely do!”
More than feng shui, Mike believed in Kayden.
“What if I told you your health issues are caused by feng shui?” Kayden asked suddenly.
Mike froze, blinking in disbelief. “Feng shui… caused my, uh, condition?”
It was clear that this possibility had never crossed his mind.