“Mr. Everett, I understand your intentions,” Tessa Watson said calmly before walking straight toward Flynn.
“Move aside!”
The bodyguards immediately cleared a path for her. As Tessa Watson reached the pavilion, the guards closed ranks behind her.
“Flynn, do you understand everything written in the Medical Codex?” Tessa asked, her gaze fixed firmly on him.
The crowd was bewildered, unsure what Tessa Watson was implying.
Flynn remained silent.
Tessa crossed her arms, her demeanor cold and composed as she said, “I can overlook the past. Even the trouble you’ve caused now-I won’t lay a finger on you.
“But in return, you must reveal everything written in the Medical Codex.
“If you can truly do that, I promise to reinstate you into the Clark family as a subordinate son.
“Not only that, I’ll ensure your mother’s memorial tablet is placed in the Clark family ancestral hall.
“This is your last chance.”
The crowd finally understood her intent.
She was offering Flynn a way back into the family. She was even willing to honor Adrianna by placing her memorial tablet in the Clark ancestral hall.
For the Clark family, Tessa Watson had made an enormous concession. No-she had made this sacrifice for Vicente Clark!
The Clark family had poured all its resources into Vicente Clark. It was no exaggeration to say he was the pride of the family, the foundation of its future.
Even if Flynn agreed to decode the Medical Codex, he would only be a subordinate son. Adrianna’s memorial tablet wouldn’t even be placed in the hall’s highest position.
Still, for Flynn, the offer was tempting.
For anyone, it was tempting.
Who wouldn’t want to be part of the Clark family?
The royal lineage of Slatin!
And Flynn likely had no choice. Refusing meant certain death.
“Place my mother’s memorial tablet in the Clark family ancestral hall?” Flynn scoffed, his face full of disdain.
“That cesspool of a place-do you really consider it the Clark family’s honor?”
Tessa Watson froze for a moment, then stepped closer and whispered threateningly, “Flynn, I understand you might have reasons to refuse, but think carefully. No one lives in this world entirely alone. Everyone has loved ones, friends, family.”
“Are you threatening me?” Flynn’s expression darkened.
The Clark family’s repeated manipulations were nothing more than a clown show in his eyes.
Tessa Watson remained unfazed, her tone calm but tinged with pity. “You can think of it that way.
“If I’m not mistaken, Rose and Molly are still at Indigo Grove Estate, aren’t they?
“And in Niarak, there’s Scarlet, Harriet…”
“Ten years ago, I could send you to Demon Island, and I can still do it now.
“I promise you’ll spend the rest of your life there. In Zone A, where the demons are held-I’ll make sure you end up there. You won’t last ten days befo-”
“Smack!”
Before Tessa Watson could finish her sentence, Flynn slapped her hard across the face.
The force of the blow sent Tessa Watson flying. Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, she arced through the air like a falling star.
“Mother!” Vicente Clark leaped seven or eight meters, catching Tessa Watson midair before landing heavily on the ground.
Her nose was broken, a bright red handprint covered her once-elegant face, and her features swelled visibly by the second.
The crowd was in complete shock.
Everyone froze, their scalps tingling, their souls seemingly ripped from their bodies.
That was Tessa Watson!
Even Paxton wouldn’t dare to raise his voice at her!
She was a titan in Slatin society, revered as an empress. Every noble family head would greet her with a smile, including Slatin’s richest woman, Cora Caldwell.
After all, she was the cherished daughter of the Watson family!
And yet, Flynn had just slapped her so hard that she flew over the heads of her bodyguards, landing meters away.
It was unthinkable, akin to a commoner assaulting a queen.
In Ostrad’s five-thousand-year history, no noble son, legitimate or otherwise, had ever dared to behave so recklessly.
But Flynn did.
He had indulged in the moment, regardless of the consequences.
Now, there was no saving him.
He was as good as dead.
“Vicente, kill him! Kill that beast!” Tessa Watson’s trembling finger pointed weakly at Flynn, blood streaming from her nose and mouth. Her vision blurred as she teetered on the edge of unconsciousness.
“Don’t worry, Mother! If I don’t turn him into a blood mist today, I’m no son of yours!” Vicente Clark roared. He handed Tessa Watson to Layla and charged at Flynn, his fury palpable, his energy like a tidal wave ready to crush everything in its path.
Layla shook her head slightly.
Flynn, your courage to avenge your mother is admirable, but was it worth trading your life for a slap?
Tessa Watson’s face will heal in days, but you-you won’t even leave a trace of blood or flesh behind.
Your dream of bringing down the Clark and Woods families? Nothing more than a joke now.
Madeline sighed and closed her eyes.
Flynn, in your next life, try to temper your foul temper.
You’ve harmed yourself and everyone around you…
But just as Vicente was about to strike, a cold, commanding voice rang out, filled with murderous intent.
“I dare anyone to lay a finger on him!”
The voice shattered the tension in the air.
Everyone turned to see Lyra, standing on the villa’s front steps, her icy gaze sweeping across the crowd.
“Who… is she?” a wealthy young woman beside Layla murmured in confusion.
The woman before them wore a pristine military uniform, her posture tall and straight. The star on her shoulder, framed by golden olive branches, gleamed in the sunlight.
Her black knee-high boots reflected the light, exuding an aura of authority and power.
Her brows were sharp as blades, her eyes like twin stars, radiating an unyielding sharpness.
Her high nose bridge and perfectly sculpted lips gave her face an air of resolute dignity. She was a force of nature, untouchable and commanding.
“Major General Lyra!” Milton Gray from Sleeve blurted out in shock, instantly recognizing her.
What?!
The crowd exploded.
Lyra-the commander of eighty thousand Black Phoenix soldiers!
A direct subordinate of Yves Yancey!
A Semi Greater Sovereign!
The legendary Dragon-Slaying Goddess!
The daughter of five-star General Nate Black and a direct descendant of the Whitaker family, one of Haralu’s most powerful houses!
In Haralu, she was everything.
She was the sky.
She was the earth.
She was light.
She was electricity.
She was a myth.
She was a legend.
She was immortal.
Among Ostrad’s young elites, she stood at the pinnacle.
A true powerhouse, holding real military authority.
Even Layla, standing nearby, paled in comparison. She wasn’t a dim star next to Lyra’s brilliance-she simply ceased to exist.
Lyra’s family, achievements, fame, strength, and influence were in a completely different league.
No matter how strong someone else was, could they surpass a military rank?
Especially that of a major general?
Lyra was Ostrad’s youngest female major general.
The cherished daughter of Nate Black.
Lyra wasn’t just a star.
She was the sun itself.
And now, she had appeared at Indigo Grove Estate.