54 A stunned silence fell over the room as the organizer announced Darwin's name. Whispers immediately broke out among the guests. "Darwin Wettin?" said a distinguished gentleman in a tailored suit. "I don't believe I'm familiar with that name." His companion, a woman draped in elegant jewels, s
55 The surrounding guests started to notice the altercation, their whispers and glances adding fuel to the already volatile situation. "Not another scene with these people," sighed one woman. "They do seem rather jealous of Mr. Wettin's honor," remarked a man. "Can't stand that someone else is g
up56 Darwin's heart pounded as the cars surrounded him on both sides. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. Through the rearview mirror he saw two large, masked men exiting the vehicle behind him, slowly approaching with purpose. As the driver's side door of the
57 "Well?" asked Luke sharply as the men approached. Jake spat on the ground. "He put up one hell of a fight. Almost had us beat too." Lisa's brow arched in surprise. "Almost?" Roy nodded grimly. "Bastard was tougher than he looked. Took all three of us to bring him down." "That punk got in a
58 Margaret Wetin paced the floor of her lavish mansion, worry etched onto her aging features. It had been two days since Darwin was rushed to the hospital, battered and bruised from the vicious attack. The doctors assured her his injuries would heal, but it did little to ease her motherly concern.
Meanwhile, at the Hawthorn mansion, Luke and Lisa were celebrating in the parlour with drinks. But the mood soured when John Hawthorne strode in, his face like a stormcloud. Without warning, he backhanded Luke hard across the face. Lisa gasped as Luke reeled, clutching his stinging cheek in shock.
59 The next morning, Luke awoke with a pounding headache. The confrontation with his father replayed in his mind, leaving a bitter taste. He dragged himself out of bed, dreading what the day may bring. As he entered the dining hall, he knew something was wrong. The servants fluttered about with a
60 As Darwin's car curled around the final bend, the imposing structure of The Grand View Resort and Hotel loomed into view, its grandeur unmistakable even from a distance. Clad in nothing fancier than his most comfortable casual wear, Darwin's heart sank a little. His mother's bombshell and th