*****While everyone else was eager to share the news of what they had witnessed that day and brag about seeing the patriarch of a first-rank family up close, Xavier, the one who should have been the most excited did not even take anything to heart and promptly erased the entire event from his mind the moment he got into a taxi.He quickly dismissed Cassandra and her grandfather from his mind, gave no thought to the cards he was handed, and contacting the old man became the last thing on his agenda.It wasn’t that Xavier looked down on them, no, he just couldn’t be troubled with matters that were of insignificance, a thought that would have caused a storm in Riverton City and make him the number one public enemy if known.…‘Knowing my father, he’d definitely be furious upon seeing me for all the distress And pain I've caused Mother over these past few years,’ Xavier thought to himself in the back seat of the taxi, his expression heavy and brows furrowed.After a moment of brood
*****Although Xavier had anticipated that his father’s appearance would have changed as well, he still assumed he’d be recognizable like his mother, but he was completely mistaken.This person he was observing was so unrecognizable that Xavier couldn’t believe he had already seen him twice in a row during his search for his father just now.It was a frail old man whose body was currently hunched with exhaustion as he sat weakly on the ground of the construction site, with beads of sweat trickling down his aged face.“Is—is this really my father or his uncle?” he mumbled with a hoarse voice that didn’t sound like his own, dazedly watching the old man in tattered and worn clothes that were smeared with dirt and dried cement.He subconsciously lowered his gaze and stared at his father’s hands, which used to be very strong and masculine but now calloused and constantly trembling as they rested on the edge of a heavy bucket of mixed cement whose weight seemed to be several times heav
***** As if time had stopped at the construction site, everyone was caught in mid-action at this moment, with each person frozen in a comical stance. Some were swinging their hammers, others pulling on ropes, some picking something from the ground, and so on. Apart from all of the pausing in unison, their gazes were currently fixated on Xavier as though he were an alien, gaping at him in both shock and astonishment. The scene, enveloped in an eerie silence lasted for what felt like an eternity before eventually, everyone returned to their senses and were covered to the brim in fear and trepidation. “He—did he just hit the little demon?” Everyone murmured at each other in shock and disbelief before hissing coldly, feeling a sudden sense of fear. “He’s done for,” they thought in unison, and just then, the Fatty whom Xavier had sent flying slowly began to sit up. In the next moment, however—gruh!—he spat out three teeth mixed with blood and his complexion paled signif
***** David had been too shocked upon seeing Xavier—a son he hadn’t expected to see for another fifteen years. This was why he momentarily forgot how he had hit the young demon, the son of the site manager who was a full-fledged Demon. Otherwise, he would have long pushed Xavier to escape. David jumped to his feet without regard for his frail body after hearing the Demon's voice and his face twisted with terror. He yanked Xavier up and shoved him hard toward the exit. “Run now! Run!!!” he cried out desperately to the still-confused Xavier, as though the person approaching was scarier than any demon. “Father, what’s the matter?” Xavier, perplexed by his father's terrified state and frantic action asked. But instead of answering, David continued to push him with all his might, practically begging Xavier to flee. However, as the owner of the voice that had struck fear into everyone was already nearby before his voice sounded, it was too late for Xavier to escape, even if he wanted to
*****Everyone, except Xavier—who was clueless about the identity of the so-called Grandfather and granddaughter duo—was stunned upon hearing the reporter's words. They swiftly turned their attention to the young man on his knees, still gasping for breath, a clear indication that he had run over with all his strength. The workers then exchanged glances, their surprise evident.The following second, their eyes lit up with joy as though they had finally received a piece of good news after days of despair, leaving only the man who had almost captured Xavier grumpy and frustrated, wondering why the visitor had arrived at such an inconvenient time.Meanwhile, it took Bartholomew and Cornelius a moment longer to recover from their shock, and the instant they did, their faces became etched with shock, concern, and fear.“They didn’t inform me they were coming—what’s going on? Why are they suddenly here?” Bartholomew, who had been arrogant since his arrival, acting as though no one was a
*****David froze upon hearing Barth’s icy and abrupt threat—In the following moment, a powerful chill ran down his spine, but before he could react, Barth shifted to the back and the smile on his face brightened even more."How many times do I need to remind you to stop thanking me? I will always say this: your well-being as laborers is my top priority," he proclaimed loudly, as though wanting someone to overhear, and no sooner had he done this than a teasing voice echoed. "You are so considerate of your workers but neglected to extend the same care to yourself and your son, why?" This voice sounded like a beautiful tune at a single hearing, so pleasing to the ears that as soon as Cornelius, who like his father, hadn’t looked toward the entrance since the report was delivered, heard it, he blushed from head to toe. As for Berth, a shocked expression crossed his face, and he quickly turned around, gasping in disbelief. "Young Mistress, Sir Patriarch!" He exclaimed, appea
*****Staring at the unimaginable scene before them, the construction site fell into complete silence again, and this lasted for a while before Barth blinked his eyes thrice."I—this has to be a dream," he muttered in disbelief before pinching himself. But the moment he felt the sharp pain, it was as if a jolt of electricity shot through him.He trembled as he realized he wasn't dreaming, and in the next moment, he was consumed with anxiety."Sir—sir patriarch," he stammered, springing to his feet in a way that seemed to defy the laws of physics and scurried toward the old man, visibly terrified.“How—how can you be acquainted with a nobody like this?” He asked nervously, but immediately regretted his question, knowing he had crossed a line.As he had feared, the old man, who had been looking at Xavier with bright eyes and excitement, immediately grew furious and shot him a glare.“What do you mean?” He questioned darkly, making Barth instantly break out in a cold sweat.He un
*****‘Why—why is he asking an outsider such a question and not me, his project supervisor? Moreover, why is he being so respectful?’ Barth wondered in fear and upon guessing what the answers to his questions could be, his face turned pale."Sir—sir Patriarch, are you perhaps speaking to me?" he asked hopefully. But in the next moment, his hope was shattered as he saw the Old Man completely ignoring him as if he didn't feel his existence.Barth was enveloped in a wave of coldness.Meanwhile, David, who was the most stunned by the recent events—confused about how someone as powerful as the patriarch of the renowned Blackwood family would know and show respect to his son—forcefully shook his head to clear his confusion upon witnessing the lack of response Barth had just received.‘This must be a godsend chance for survival,’ he thought, his dead hope reawakening.Without hesitation, David rushed his frail body toward the old man, wanting to fall to his knees when Xavier, who saw t