Meanwhile, Tyler, unaware of the storm brewing against him, made his way home. He took a shortcut through a secluded alleyway, his mind preoccupied with the day's events. As he turned the corner, three men stepped out of the shadows, blocking his path.
"Tyler, right?" the leader of the group said, cracking his knuckles. "We've got a message for you from the Harringtons." Tyler's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. "I don't want any trouble," he said, trying to stay calm. "Too late for that," the leader sneered. "You crossed the wrong family." Before Tyler could react, one of the men swung a bat towards him. Tyler ducked just in time, but the second man lunged at him, catching him off guard. A fierce struggle ensued, with Tyler fighting back with everything he had. However, Tyler dodged the incoming punches from the leader, who was covered in tattoos, with ease. He leaped onto the alleyway's railing effortlessly and then kicked one of the attackers in the face. "Damn! This asshole's kick hurts so much!" The person who had been kicked immediately started bleeding from his nose. Tyler smiled and said, "I'm an undisputed fighter, a fourth degree!" "I'm a nine-degree undisputed fighter as well!" the leader snarled, anger flashing in his eyes as he tried to kick Tyler. Tyler leaped down from the railing, dodging the kick, and punched the leader again before shaking his head and mocking him. "You might have the numbers, but your skills are lacking." Tyler was indeed an undisputed fighter—a fourth degree. The average age of the people he fought with was 56 years old and above, but he had faced many like this triad leader before. In prison, he had been challenged and bullied by triad members who wanted to make his stay difficult, and he had honed his skills tirelessly to survive. Tyler’s attacker became even angrier and lunged at him again. Tyler sidestepped and delivered a powerful punch to the leader’s jaw, sending him crashing to the ground. The remaining two triad members hesitated, realizing they were outmatched. Tyler, breathing heavily but standing firm, glared at them. "Leave now, or you’ll end up like your friend." Seeing their leader incapacitated, the two men exchanged nervous glances and quickly decided to retreat, dragging their unconscious leader with them. Tyler watched them disappear into the shadows, then took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. He knew this was just the beginning. The Harringtons wouldn't stop, but neither would he. With renewed determination, he turned and continued his way home. --- At the celebration villa held at the extravagant Haight Street of San Francisco, Richard approached Old Ms. Harrington with a sheepish expression. "Mom, the professional fighter I enlisted was defeated by Tyler," he confessed reluctantly. "What?!" Old Ms. Harrington's eyes widened in disbelief. The news sent shockwaves through the room. "Is this fallen-from-grace son-in-law also a professional fighter?" someone gasped incredulously. "Isn't there anyone capable of handling this brute?!" Old Ms. Harrington thundered, slamming her hand on the table in frustration. At that moment, Bradford Nicholson, the general agent of Zuckerberg, came over with a present for Ms. Harrington. Upon seeing Nicholson, Richard suddenly smiled. Nicholson was a working partner and also a close friend to Tyler. Nicholson was a nobody in San Francisco a few years ago. When Zuckerberg General Hospital was not well received, he spent over $30,000 to become the general agent of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. It would probably be hard to do that now even if the price was increased by ten times. Ever since he earned a reasonable sum of money from Zuckerberg, Nicholson had been trying to blend in with the upper class society of San Francisco. At the first nomination of the Harrington daughter, Nicholson decided to take this opportunity to become acquainted with the Harringtons since he was also a doctor. Richard walked up to greet him with a smile. Nicholson held a crafted leather-bound journal and handed it to Emily, who came out of nowhere. "Where have you been?" Ms. Jenner asked with concern. "I'm in my room checking out some clothes for the upcoming nomination!" Emily said, joy in her voice. "Congratulations on your nomination," Nicholson said warmly. "I thought you might appreciate something to record your thoughts and experiences. I find that keeping a journal has been invaluable in my own journey as a doctor." Emily extended a warm hug to him. "Thank you, Mr. Bradford, that's very thoughtful of you!" Ms. Jenner added with a smile on her face. But Nicholson approached Old Ms. Harrington, "How have you been, Ms. Harrington?" he asked, extending a handshake. Old Ms. Harrington sighed. Seeing this, Nicholson immediately asked Richard, "Mr. Harrington, Ms. Harrington doesn't seem to be in a good mood." Richard glanced at his mother and then back at Nicholson. "It's Tyler. He’s causing trouble again," he explained, hoping to draw Nicholson into their web. Nicholson raised an eyebrow. "Tyler? What did he do this time?" Richard leaned in, lowering his voice. "He attacked Andrew. And now, even the professional fighter I enlisted to handle him was defeated. We need to figure out how to deal with him." Nicholson frowned, pondering the situation. He had always respected Tyler's tenacity and skill. "Tyler is a formidable opponent," he admitted. "But perhaps there's a way to resolve this without further violence." Old Ms. Harrington's eyes narrowed. "We've tried reasoning with him. It’s time for action." Nicholson nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Let me see what I can do," he said, glancing back at Emily. "In the meantime, focus on Emily's nomination. This should be a day of celebration." Richard and Old Ms. Harrington exchanged glances, their expressions hardening with resolve. The battle with Tyler was far from over, but today, they would put on a show of unity and strength. The Harringtons would not be easily defeated.Old Ms. Harrington turned to Andrew and said, "I'm sorry, Andrew. I know I was the one who put you in this mess!" Her voice was firm as she embraced Andrew in a tight hug. "I won't allow that to happen to you anymore!" Andrew nodded his head, tears welling up. "Grandmother, I'm also sorry for the shame I brought to today's celebration. I was just trying to protect myself from the man who was bullying me, saying I had to pay up for the drug money I owed him, even after I said I wasn't into drugs anymore! After that, he tried to kill me!" "I know, Andrew. You can't kill anyone; it was just self-defense, wasn't it?" Old Ms. Harrington asked, her voice gentle but strong. A devilish smile played on Andrew's face. "Yes, Grandma. I can't kill anyone," he said, lifting his head. Old Ms. Harrington held Andrew's face in her hands, looking deeply into his eyes. "How was the agreement between you and Mr. Blackwell? I hope the government has pardoned our family!" she asked, her voice full
"Please continue enjoying yourselves while I have a little conversation with my family," Old Ms. Harrington said, her voice calm yet authoritative. "And I apologize for any discomfort I may have caused." She smiled warmly, her eyes sweeping over the guests, who responded with nods and encouraging smiles.As she made her way toward the private sitting room, her children and grandchildren followed her immediately, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. Old Ms. Harrington’s composed demeanor reassured the guests, and they resumed their mingling, the hum of conversation and clinking of glasses filling the air once more.Old Ms. Harrington paused at the doorway, turning back to give one last, reassuring smile before disappearing into the room, her family trailing behind. The grand chandelier cast a warm glow over the gathering, and the soft music playing in the background created an elegant ambiance.Inside the private sitting room, Old Ms. Harrington took a deep breath, ready
Andrew cut off Old Ms. Harrington with a smirk. “Haha! Drunk? Emily, don’t take this the wrong way, but you share some of the blame. You never let Tyler get close to you in the four years you were married. Even if you’re beautiful, it doesn’t matter if he can’t be with you. No wonder Tyler spent the night with Agnes!”Emily’s mother couldn’t stay silent any longer. “Andrew, that’s unfair. Emily’s status is far above Tyler’s. If she had been intimate with that disgraced son-in-law, it would have been an insult to her. It would have tainted her.”Andrew scoffed. “You’re just trying to keep her pure so she can marry a wealthy man after you find a way to get rid of Tyler, aren’t you?”Ms. Jenner said, "You...""Any word from you again, and you're going out!" Old Ms. Harrington hollered. "Even if Emily is like that, he has no reason to have an affair! What does he take our family for? I can't wait for that beast to arrive here!"After saying old Ms Harrington reach to her stroked poodles
As Tyler and Nicholson arrived back at the villa, the atmosphere grew tense. The grand estate loomed ahead, its elegant facade belying the turmoil within. The car came to a halt, and before Tyler could gather his thoughts, two mafia members swiftly moved in. They grabbed him roughly by the arms, holding him tightly as they yanked him out of the car. The forceful grip sent a jolt of pain through Tyler's shoulders, but he bit back any signs of discomfort.The men dragged Tyler across the gravel driveway, his feet barely touching the ground. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline surging as he struggled against their iron grip. His mind raced, searching for a way to escape, but the mafia members' firm hold left him little room to maneuver.At that moment, the door to the villa opened, and Old Ms. Harrington emerged, followed closely by the rest of the family, coming from the private room. Their expressions ranged from curiosity to contempt as they took in the sight before them. Old
"You insolent fool! Kneel before me this instant!" commanded Old Ms. Harrington, her voice dripping with authority."Do you think you can break the family's laws and walk away without consequence? You fool!""Family rules! What rules!" Tyler exclaimed, defiant.Old Ms. Harrington's eyes narrowed, but there was a glimmer of understanding in her gaze. "Have you forgotten the agreement you signed with our family? Three years ago, when you became a son-in-law of the Harrington family, you vowed to accept our family's rules and face the consequences if you ever betrayed us. Does that vow still bind you?"Tyler stood tall, his voice steady. "It absolutely does."A nod of acknowledgment came from Ms. Harrington. "Very well, then you understand your offense," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Bring me the 'Judgment Rod." At her command, Richard produced a long, intricately carved rod, a symbol of the family's history and tradition.The Judgment Rod, passed down through generations, was mo
"Sir, you're under arrest for the murder you committed," a police officer's voice echoed through the night air. The wail of ambulance sirens and the flashing red and blue lights of the police cars bathed the surroundings in an eerie glow."You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court," the officer recited, his hand hovering over his holstered gun, finger poised on the trigger."Turn around, hands in the air!" he barked, his voice firm and commanding.Tyler complied reluctantly, raising his hands to rest atop his head in a gesture of surrender. Despite his cooperation, the officer advanced aggressively, thrusting Tyler's head forcefully against the unyielding surface of the police car's bonnet. Bound by handcuffs, his arms contorted behind his back, Tyler's eyes met those of his brother-in-law Andrew, whose once immaculate clothes now bore crimson stains, betraying his involvement as the mastermind behind this unfolding chaos.The offi
The loud clang of the gate slamming shut jolted Tyler back to reality. He watched Diego return to his post, then shifted his gaze to the mansion entrance, where red and blue lights flickered through the downstairs windows, casting an ominous glow.Fueled by hope, Tyler tried to force his way through the gate. He imagined his wife's family throwing a welcome-back party, explaining why no one had picked him up at the prison entrance they were too busy preparing a surprise celebration. He clung to the belief that his wife, Emily, still loved him and that their bond was unbroken. However, his efforts were futile; the gate was securely locked by Diego, leaving Tyler frustrated and defeated.After a few minutes in the scorching sun on Haight Street, Tyler slumped against a waste bin, feeling hopeless. Suddenly, the click of the gate unlocking made him lift his head, wondering who was on the other side.That's when he saw her—a maid in a black top and Nike trousers, holding a black trash can
"Could he have escaped from Alcatraz?" the one in the middle speculated, glancing around at the group."Maybe. The commander of Alcatraz Island held a press conference yesterday, announcing that three prisoners had escaped," the person on the left added, leaning forward with interest."He’s probably one of them, and that's why he's here today," Keisha, the light-skinned girl on the right, chimed in, her eyes wide with excitement."How do you know?" Sophie asked, her tone playful but curious."It's obvious - it was all over the news yesterday, and now he's suddenly appeared!" Rachel exclaimed, clearly impressed by the unfolding mystery."Rachel’s absolutely right!" Sophie agreed, nodding at her friend's keen observation.As the group erupted into laughter again, drawing the attention of the crowd, Tyler felt his patience snap."I don't have time for your jokes!" he exclaimed, pushing his way past them.Tyler knew Emily's three friends had never liked him, and the feeling was mutual. Th