Ch. 571..580

Chapter 571

Chapter 571

Rowan froze on the spot, not knowing which leg to move first.

"Mr. Harris, your manager's waiting for you at the door," Mr. Smith said with a smile. "There are a few shots to add to Ms. Lulham's film!" "Mm, got it." Neil patted his clothes and put on his sunglasses before walking out. Before he left, he mouthed a "You got this" to Rowan. Rowan looked at the elevator and then at Mr. Smith with a troubled expression.

Mr. Smith chuckled. "Mr. Irwin, Madam Baker said that you've been monkeying here these two days to meet Mrs. Hamerton!" "Well..." How could Janine describe him to be monkeying around!?

"Don't worry." Mr. Smith saw through him. "Madam Baker returned to Chaiseland on an early flight today. She's not around."

It was only then Rowan looked better, but he could not let others notice that he was wary of Janine. Hence, he coughed and straightened up his back, huffing audibly. "It doesn't matter if she's around or not! I'm not scared!"

Mr. Smith watched Rowan's back with a shake of his head. He took him to Cordelia's office shortly.

"Mrs. Hamerton, Mr. Irwin's here."

Cordelia's hands holding a document paused slightly, and she could not help biting her lips.

"Cor-" Rowan stepped forward, but before he could address her, he was worried about upsetting her and changed it to "Madam Cordelia".

Madam Cordelia? Even Mr. Smith could not help giggling.

Rowan stood rooted. Cordelia did not ask him to sit, so he kept standing.

Mr. Smith said softly, "Mrs. Hamerton, there's not much to do today. There are two artist schedules. I'll take them. Have a good talk with Mr. Irwin."

"Mm." Cordelia nodded. "Thank you."

Mr. Smith left politely.

The office was then filled with silence. Cordelia could hear her anxious heartbeats. Her thoughts were all over the place. She was the one who had asked to meet him, but she was also the one staying quiet

now.

She took a glance at Rowan. The middle-aged man, who was put on the pedestal in Southeast Aciatic, was sweating nervously in front of her.

She suddenly recalled how Zephyr had made a table full of dishes despite his limited culinary skills after his identity was exposed, and he, too, had stood helplessly in front of her just like that. Cordelia chuckled wryly. Was she that scary?

"Don't just stand there." She looked at him. "Have a seat."

"Oh... oh!" Rowan looked delightfully surprised, but he sprang right up once he touched the couch.

"I think I'd feel better speaking while I stand!" He bit his lips and said seriously, "I... I just want to tell you that I've mistreated you all. A thought gone stray back then cost yours and your mom and Carter's happiness.

Rowan's lips were trembling. "Cordelia, I'm not a good father. I'm not asking for your forgiveness... but please give me a chance to make it up, okay?"

"Make it up?" Cordelia clenched her hands, nails digging into her palms. "With what?"

"Cordelia-"

"It's too late!"

Tears dropped with what she said.

Rowan's voice was hoarse as he called her name almost pleadingly, "Cordelia-"

"Do you know how we've spent these years?"

Cordelia maintained eye contact. Her gaze was deep, like an abyss-it was no longer bright.

Rowan's lips moved, but he could not get a word out.

"I've been treated as William Jenner's illegitimate daughter, and Joanne and Yelena would constantly bully us...

"Mom wasn't lucid sometimes, and Carter was so young. I began doing house chores and taking care of mom and him when I was eight! I learned how to spend each penny every month so we wouldn't starve, so I could pay my own tuition!

"When I married in place of Yelena, they didn't even give me anything! I'm lucky I met Zephyr. If that man were really Marcus Grist, you might not even be able to see me now!" "Sorry, I'm sorry..."

Rowan's heart felt like it was being sliced but sorry felt cheap at this moment. No matter how many times he repeated it, it did nothing.

"I'm sorry." Cordelia wiped her tears and sobbed, "I'm sorry. I am not prepared to call you dad now..."

Rowan kept shaking his head.

He had been on the battlefield as a military doctor, witnessing life and death in that ruthless environment every day, but he had never shed a tear. Right now, however, his will crumbled as he cried like a baby in front of his daughter.

...

Zephyr was on his way to Imperial Media.

He had received Mr. Smith's call just now, saying that Cordelia had a private talk with Rowan and was in a bad mood. He dropped everything he was doing and rushed over. While he was waiting for the red light, he recalled what Carter had said.

He had been chatting with Carter the other day, and Rowan had been brought up. He had asked Carter what he felt about this father who had popped up out of the blue.

Carter answered honestly, "I... I kind of want to call him dad.

"But Cordelia's upset, so I won't.

"Zephyr, Cordelia just can't get it over herself. She keeps thinking that dad's been absent for too many years... Actually, I think that there are several more 20-something years if we can live until 80! He missed the first 20 years, so he can make it up in the subsequent ones.

"Life's long, but it's also short." Carter sighed. "Mom's always telling us not to waste time over nitpicking. She's a living example! She doesn't want us to follow her path."

That was the first time Zephyr felt that the boy who was once bullied in school had already grown into a wise and responsible man.

Cordelia would definitely be able to figure these things out, too, if Carter could do it.

Zephyr arrived at Imperial Media and headed upstairs as soon as he parked the car.

Chapter 572

Chapter 572

The moment Zephyr entered, he saw Rowan leaving. He froze.

Zephyr had always mocked the old geezer and thought him to be annoying, but now that he saw his dejected expression and reddened eyes, he could not even force a smile... he felt like he was suddenly fed a pill-his throat felt dry and bitter.

"You're here..." Rowan's voice was hoarse.

"Mm."

That was all Rowan said. He gave Zephyr another glance and went off with a stagger.

Zephyr walked in and saw Cordelia on the couch in a trance. It was like life had been sucked out of her, and she was in a bad mood too.

She could no longer hold back her tears when she saw him. Zephyr hugged her, his heart aching as she cried.

"Darling, let's finish work early today, okay?" he asked softly, running a hand down her back.

Cordelia did not actually have much to do. Before Janine left, she had already told Mr. Smith to handle the recent company affairs.

"I want to take you somewhere."

"Hmm?" Cordelia looked up at him. "Where?"

Zephyr smiled and gently put her coat over her before leaving Imperial Media hand in hand with her.

Cordelia discovered in surprise that the car parked by the road was the one she had bought him.

"Why did you think of driving this one?" She smiled and went around the car. "It looks newer than before."

Zephyr watched her quietly with a press of his lips.

Of course, the car looked newer and nicer than before. Since the purchase, he had treated the car like a gem. He was usually reluctant to drive it and parked it at the best spot in the garage. Even its maintenance was the highest grade and quality.

If Zephyr's garage were a harem, those luxury cars would absolutely be working together to crush this small little one into scrap metal.

Zephyr opened the door for Cordelia and fastened the seatbelt for her.

Not too long after departing, Cordelia found that the route felt off. They seemed to be leaving the city, but they were not going to Hamerton Manor. She was puzzled and turned to face the man only to be greeted by his smile.

"We're going to Jangasas," he said, holding her hand.

"Jangasas?" Cordelia was astonished. "Why..."

"I thought of taking you out to clear your head but didn't know where to go on such short notice. Jangasas isn't far from Centrolis, and it's convenient to drive there and back."

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. "Darling, you'll surely like that place."

Cordelia nodded, following whatever he had arranged.

Zephyr drove smoothly, and Cordelia took a nap in the car. It was already evening when she woke up.

The last of pink and orange faded from the sky, and nightfall took over with bright neon lights. Jangasas' night scene was not as lively as Centrolis, but it had its own charm.

They did not come to the city center but to the suburbs of Jangasas.

Cordelia got out of the car to look around. It was peaceful and pleasant with the mountains and water. They took a short walk, and it was somewhere she was even more familiar with-Zephyr had given her a special wedding in this quaint church.

"Why did you bring us here?" Cordelia smiled.

The environment relaxed her significantly, and both of them went in holding hands. The one they greeted was the same pastor from the last time.

The old man smiled kindly and left, giving them the space to be alone.

Cordelia sat down at the pipe organ and played a few notes. The tone color of the pipe organ was deeper and fuller than the piano, so it sounded grander.

It was just that Cordelia did not quite know how to play.

Yelena had learned to play the piano since she was young-William had spent a lot on her. Yelena was also outstanding when she was younger. Each time there was an activity, she could play the piano because she knew how to and became the center of attention.

Cordelia could only get to stand in the corner.

Chapter 573

Chapter 573

After Cordelia grew up, she always thought that she would learn harder and play more wholeheartedly than Yelena if she was given a chance to learn back then.

Her expression dimmed, and she left the pipe organ to sit on the front row.

Zephyr crouched down in front of her and smiled gently with his eyes on her.

"Honey, do you still remember how the wedding went when I took you here back then?"

Cordelia nodded.

She had worn the 4,000-dollar wedding dress, so expensive that her heart ached over it.

It was not like now. She could afford a 400,000-dollar wedding dress as long as she wanted to.

Zephyr pulled out his phone. There was a video clip he treasured. Her smile was carefree and pure in the video, like a fairy in the worldly realm. Her voice was sweet and exuberant.

"I vow to love my husband no matter what he becomes!

"Hmm... even if he becomes fat, ugly, old and stupid, or bald and plump, he's my husband, now and forever. I'll stay by his side eternally and not abandon him!"

Cordelia broke out into a giggle. How could she say something so silly back then!?

She did not know that during the period Zephyr's identity was exposed and she ignored him, the video was his treasure that he repeatedly watched-until his eyes stung and his heart ached. That was why he suddenly understood what Rowan felt right now. At least he had the video to watch, but Rowan had nothing.

"Alright, put it away!" Cordelia beamed. "I was too silly. I can't bear to watch it!"

Zephyr's lurching heart went back to place upon seeing her bright eyes again, and he held her hand softly.

"Feeling much better?"

"Mm." Cordelia smiled.

"Let's go eat then! What do you think about lobster risotto at Regalia Hotel?"

"Darling?" Cordelia was hesitant. She bit her lips and looked at him quietly.

He had taken her all the way here just to revisit old times? Just to make her feel better, have a meal and go back?

Did he not have anything to tell her?

She thought that he was going to persuade her on behalf of Rowan...

Zephyr's gaze was tender as he smiled. "What is it?"

Cordelia stood rooted.

"Darling, we... We're just out for some breather and eat?"

"Yeah."

"D-Don't you have anything to tell me?"

Zephyr smiled and pulled her into his arms. He did have things to tell her-about Rowan, but he wanted her to be happy and forget about her worries more now. After all, reuniting with her birth father could not be rushed. It had to be taken slowly.

"Honey, you—"

Cordelia wanted to ask more, but a passionate kiss ambushed her lips. She was swept off her feet.

Even when both of them were so familiar with each other, she still felt like it was the first time each time they kissed deeply.

When Zephyr let go of her, she panted with a blush, her eyes glistening and bright.

"Cordelia." His deep husky voice was uniquely charming. "I just want you to be happy."

He was willing to do anything for her-as long as she was happy.

Cordelia froze and suddenly felt a pinch in her nose. She murmured softly, "Darling, w-was I wrong?"

Chapter 574

Chapter 574

Zephyr rubbed Cordelia's hair. "No. I'll stand by your side no matter what you do."

"But..." Cordelia did not finish her sentence but pressed her lips together.

"But my wife's a kind woman." Zephyr smiled. "She can't bear for people who love her to be sad, am I right?"

Cordelia looked at him in silence.

He asked softly, "Honey, do you want to hear what I think?"

"Mm!" Cordelia gave a firm nod.

"What I think is actually simple." Zephyr chuckled. "Firstly, let me ask you a question... Who's the man you love the most?"

Cordelia pouted. "Do you even have to ask?"

"I want to hear it from you!"

Was Zephyr being childish again? Cordelia smiled helplessly and knocked on his head. "It's you!

"Zephyr Hamerton, there's already a video as proof, and you're still asking something like this?"

"Because this is an important question!" He coughed in feigned profoundness and held her hand. "What I want to say is... "Everything that happened after the plane crash."

Cordelia's heart clenched. She had seen those scars on his body, deep and shallow.

Back when he hid his identity, he had glossed it over, claiming that the scars were from boxing training when she asked.

When his identity was out in the open, and there was once when they were intimate, she felt the scar on his lower abdomen, then the rest of them from there to his back. She could no longer hold back from asking about them.

It was only then Zephyr told her that they were left from the plane crash, and he mentioned it in passing lest she worried when she asked further.

Cordelia was not someone to be hung up over things. Since he did not want to speak more about it, she stopped asking. It was just that the matter stayed in her mind like a rock.

Zephyr was going to move his rock away now.

She focused with a halted breath, afraid that she would miss a word.

"I was in a private jet that crashed in Jangasas before I could get back to Centrolis. The plane was tinkered with, and the system malfunctioned at tens of thousands of meters height... Fortunately, the captain was experienced and got ready for an emergency landing in Jangasas. I had a life jacket and parachute on, but before the emergency landing could happen, the plane broke apart...

"I was severely injured but got my life back due to those life-saving devices. The worst time was when Seth took care of me. He did a few surgeries on me, but my chances of surviving were slim.

"It was then that a medicine from Southeast Aciatic saved me."

Cordelia widened her eyes in disbelief at him, repeating softly, "Southeast Aciatic?"

"Yes, Southeast Aciatic, the Irwins."

Cordelia's heart skipped a beat.

"It was Rowan Irwin." Zephyr licked his lips and said clearly, "It was... dad."

This was the first time he changed "old geezer" to "dad".

Rowan would never have thought that the first one to call him dad on his journey of reuniting with his family was not his daughter or son but the person he once disliked the most. Cordelia took a deep breath, her mind a mess.

Zephyr said seriously, "Cordelia, he saved my life."

"Mm..."

"No matter how much wrong he has done, he saved the man you love the most." Zephyr chuckled.

Cordelia trembled.

If it were not for Rowan, Zephyr might have already died, and she would have never ended up with him. Did that mean that... he had recompensed his wrongdoing?

What about the years of hardship she, her mother, and her brother had gone through?

After a long time, Cordelia placed her hand on top of the back of Zephyr's hand and said softly, "For you, I can forget about what he's done on my part... But I can't forgive him on behalf of mom and Carter. I don't have the right to do that either."

Chapter 575

Chapter 575

"Mm, yeah." Zephyr wore a relieved smile.

Actually, Xyla and Carter were not too big of a problem. The hardest part for Rowan seemed to see a flicker of hope now.

After all, there were over 20 years of estrangement. Things needed to go slow. For whatever it was worth, the first step was already taken, and the day of the reunion would only get closer. Cordelia met his eyes, and both of them smiled. Zephyr led them out with an arm over her shoulder. They could finally have a good meal without any burden now.

"Darling, I think you're right!"

"What?"

"That old geezer made you all suffer for so many years. It's time for him to taste his medicine now!"

"What are you saying?" The girl glared at him instantly. "Who are you calling an old geezer!?"

"Well..." Zephyr said purposely, "That ungrateful old geezer, the pufferfish with spines..."

"Hey!" Cordelia tried to smack him with a hop.

Despite that, Zephyr was tall like a tree and pulled a small flower like her into his embrace easily. With the obvious height difference, Cordelia was unable to escape no matter how she pried herself away. "Honey, let's go back tomorrow, okay?"

"What?" Zephyr chortled. "I was thinking of staying another two days in Jangasas with you!"

"I... I don't want to stay here anymore. I want to hurry back. There are a lot of things that have not been done yet!"

She also really wanted to see Rowan. She wanted to feel her father's love again.

Zephyr held her face and pressed a gentle kiss on her cheek before he nodded in agreement.

There was something more important that would take place at home tomorrow. It was time to settle the score with William Jenner!

The next day, at Royal Manor...

William came to the location Yale had sent to him right on the dot.

It was said that this was a villa residence developed by the Bayers and was the best luxury property in Centrolis.

William knew that people were working in collusion with him, and as expected, the security system was as if a decoration when he arrived. There was not even a security guard! He cackled and looked around. The place was really luxurious. He considered himself affluent in Jangasas, but it was nothing compared to this place.

"Didn't expect Cordelia to be so lucky!" he muttered under his breath and could not help getting angry when he thought of how his own daughter had not even gotten a status after clinging to Yale for so long. The mansion Cordelia and Zephyr were living at was easy to find. It was the best out of the available villas.

William sneaked to the door, and it opened on its own before he could react! Shocked, he nearly screamed only to see a handsome and polite man stand before him with a ghost of a smile. "Mr. Jenner, do you remember me?"

William sized him up for a good moment before realization struck him. "Oh... you're the lawyer, Mr. Constable!"

"Yes."

"Ah, you're the one Mr. Yale's speaking about!" William was relieved and walked in boldly.

Fredric glanced at him and followed him in.

"Mr. Constable, I heard that you're familiar around here!" William was eager. "Tell me now. Where's that box?"

"No hurry." Fredric was cool as a cucumber. "It's been a long trip, Mr. Jenner. Have a seat and some tea. I'll fetch you the box!"

Chapter 576

Chapter 576

"Um..." William hesitated. After all, he wanted to get it over with and leave as soon as he could. This was not a place to linger.

However, Fredric held him by the shoulders and asked him to sit on the couch. He also retrieved a full set of quality tea from the kitchen.

A while later, the tea aroma drifted into the room and smelled reinvigorating.

"This is a kind of black tea that the Hamerton Group always purchases. It's expensive because production isn't much each year. Other than supplying to the Hamerton Group, only certain royal members get to drink it in the world."

Fredric observed William's expression in secret. He knew it. Someone who was greedy in nature would not give up on any benefit, even when they were at risk.

Just like the tea before them.

William contemplated and picked up the teacup in front of him with a smile. While he drank, his eyes flitted around like he was a thief.

Fredric scoffed. Birds of a feather seemed to flock together. William was acting like Marcus now that he had spent so long with the latter.

Fredric chuckled. "Mr. Jenner, saw anything you like?"

"N-No."

"It's not easy to come here. What's the point of you leaving with only a box?" Fredric asked purposely. "I heard Mr. Yale say that even if the box is brought back and turned into cash, you'll get 20% of profit at most!"

"What?" William froze. "He... He really said that?"

Fredric tugged his tie leisurely and smirked. "We're all on the same boat. There's no need for me to lie to you."

Confusion clouded William's eyes as he clenched his fists.

Fredric said in a hushed voice, "Right, Mr. Jenner, you don't know where Yelena's at, right? Yale's locked her up in the ranch behind the manor!"

"The..." William's eyes bulged before he spat harshly after a moment, "The useless girl!"

Fredric was taken aback and squinted at the man.

As a father, one's first reaction should be wanting justice for his daughter when he heard about his daughter being mistreated. However, William was blaming Yelena for being useless.

It was no wonder that Yelena would grow into the arrogant and empty airbag she was. It would be odd if Yelena behaved normally when she grew up in a family with an abnormal father like this!

It seemed that Cordelia was pretty lucky. At least she did not stay by William's side growing up.

Fredric put a hand in his suit jacket's pocket and felt for his recording pen.

William's frown was tightly knitted as he spoke to himself. "Looks like I'll have to depend on Cordelia... Hah, Xyla's a good teacher. The daughter she has taught bewitches men easily! Mr. Zephyr's completely enthralled by her!"

"Depend on Cordelia?" Fredric raised a brow. "But she's not your birth daughter."

"How is she not?" William brandished the DNA test result. "Look. Didn't you get someone to forge this?"

Fredric pretended to go over for a look and asked him with emphasis, "Forged?"

"Yeah, you forged it!" William rolled his eyes and kept the document carefully. "Did you forget what you made?"

"Oh, I remember!" Fredric smiled. "Yeah, I did get someone to forge it.

"Mr. Jenner, you know that the test result's fake. What if someone exposes-"

"No!" William waved a hand. "I'm not showing this to Elder Mr. Hamerton. I'm only showing it to Zephyr and Cordelia. It's enough!"

"What are you going to do?"

William smiled without saying anything.

Fredric tried to lead him into saying more. "Are you going to threaten the two of them with this?"

William coughed. "This isn't as valuable as the set of medicinal formulas, but I believe that Zephyr wouldn't want it in front of his grandfather! Elder Mr. Hamerton emphasizes one's birth. Cordelia can marry into the Hamertons because she's Rowan Irwin's daughter...

"But what will Elder Mr. Hamerton think when he sees this?" William's smirk was vicious. "It wasn't easy for Zephyr to marry Cordelia. Will he give up so easily? Hah, so I believe he'll give me a good amount of hush money for his wife!"

Chapter 577

Chapter 577

"Hah, haha." Fredric faked a laugh while he wondered if someone like William was considered the lower limit of a human's low intelligence. Despite that, he had to go along with him. "Yeah, Zephyr will definitely do that. You'll pocket another large amount by then!"

William was triumphant and took another sip of tea.

"But... Mr. Jenner, the Jenner Group really shouldn't be closing down when you're so good at planning!"

William was immediately appalled. "That was a careless mistake!"

"But you should have a good sum of money with you!"

"You... How did you know?" William put his guard up right away.

Fredric had always been a brilliant hunter in collecting evidence. He could make his prey fall into his trap step by step.

"Mr. Jenner, with the relationship I share with Mr. Yale, he told me about you long ago. Back when the Irwin heiress, Xyla Irwin, left Southeast Aciatic and went to Jangasas, you purposely took her home, right? William went stiff upon hearing this and stared at Fredric with a frown.

"You..."

"Is that the case?"

"I... I don't want to talk about this anymore!" William avoided the conversation. "Just tell me where the box is!"

Fredric snickered and continued to pour tea, enjoying it himself.

William was stunned. Why was the lawyer having the tea himself? It seemed that the man would not fetch any box if he did not say anything.

William thought he could look for it himself, but the mansion was too big, and there was not enough time. He had to watch out for Cordelia and Zephyr, who would be back anytime too... William bit his lips and threw himself back on the couch to spill the beans.

"Fine, I'll talk about it!

"Back when Xyla came to Jangasas, she had no one. I had heard about the Irwins from Southeast Aciatic, so I took Xyla in...

"I just wanted the set of medicinal formulas in reality, but that b*tch wouldn't give it to me! I later discovered that there'd be a sum of money sent to her account each month-" Fredric interrupted him. "The money's from Southeast Aciatic?"

"Yes." William looked at him. "I looked into it, and Rowan Irwin was the one who sent it! Hah... Xyla was already pregnant back then! Since that was already the case, I might as well..." "Might as well what?" Fredric looked at him coldly.

"What else?" William sneered. "What a waste it would be to leave such a beautiful woman alone! Even when she was pregnant, I could still have fun with her..."

"Then?"

"Then... I took her money after I had fun with her." William was shameless. "I didn't expect Rowan to be so devoted. He gave her quite a lot of money! The amount of money per month could beat half a year of the Jenner Group's net profit! Hah, how could I waste so much money?"

Fredric took a deep breath. "So, you claimed it as your own?"

William grew impatient from the questions and frowned. "Why do you have so many questions? Hurry up and get the box!"

Fredric looked straight into William's eyes and told him flatly, "William Jenner, link everything you said just now and repeat it!"

"You..." William froze. "Are you f*cking crazy!?"

"Say it!" Fredric suddenly growled. "Otherwise, don't even dream about getting that box!"

William licked his lips, not knowing why the lawyer had a sudden shift of attitude. For the box, though, he would just assume that the lawyer had woken up on the wrong side of the bed today!

He held his rage back and speedily repeated what he had said.

"I took Xyla Irwin in because I wanted the set of medicinal formulas she had... She didn't want to give it to me, so I-I assaulted her and took her money. The money Rowan Irwin sent each month all went into my pocket! Alright?"

As soon as he was done speaking, all the lights in the living room lit up in unison! The siren outside blared deafeningly.

William was shocked and was going to ask Fredric what was going on when he saw the door to a room by the living room open slowly and someone walk out...

Chapter 578

Chapter 578

"This... This is..." William turned pale and could not even finish a full sentence.

He stared at Cordelia and Zephyr like he had seen a ghost, who came out of the room, and nearly slumped down as if life was sucked out of him.

He looked at Fredric in horror and asked shakily, "Mr. Constable, w-what's going on!?"

Fredric smiled and pulled the recording pen out of his pocket to pass it to Zephyr. He then turned to William and replied in the tone of a lawyer on duty, "You have the right to remain silent right now. Everything you say will be presented as evidence in court!"

William's eyes nearly fell off.

"Well done! You... You worked together to trick me!"

"Trick you? Or because you're too dumb!?" Cordelia stepped up and stared at him coldly.

She had nearly failed to hold herself up in the small room when she listened to the filthy and abominable things William had confessed to just now. Zephyr was fortunate to be by her side, and his embrace became her haven. As she hid there, she could not help trembling.

The culprit of her over 20 years of misfortune was actually this despicable man in front of her! Rowan was not actually as merciless as she had thought-he still cared about them...

Cordelia had a flurry of emotions, and the complicated feelings rose together with her tears.

"William Jenner..." She took in a deep breath, wanting nothing more than to grind the name with her teeth. "You sc*m!"

Cordelia was so emotional that she reached for the knife on the table to stab him.

Zephyr caught her wrist speedily and kept her in his arms as much as he could.

"Cordelia, don't!"

"Let me go!" Cordelia cried, "What he did to my mom, Carter, and me... I'm going to kill him!"

"Cordelia!" Zephyr understood what she felt, but she must not act recklessly at this moment.

"Darling... listen to me. We'll settle this score with him, but you can't dirty your hands over someone like this! It's not worth it! Do you understand?"

Cordelia bit her lips and sobbed in Zephyr's arms.

Zephyr's heart ached for her. His gaze on William was ruthless and vicious as he held Cordelia by the shoulders.

"Fredric..."

"Z, don't worry. I know what to do!"

Before William could react, Fredric clapped his hand, and a group of men in black instantly surrounded the whole villa. Each of them had a gun, and William would not be able to escape even if he turned into a fly.

"These are Nicholas' men." Fredric smiled. "Nicholas said that he'd vent this grudge for Mrs. Hamerton!"

"You... What do you want!?" William's legs went limp. He shakily pulled the DNA test result out of his pocket.

"Cordelia, Cordelia, you can't do this to me! Look at this... I-I'm your father!"

Disgusted, Cordelia turned away so she would not see him.

Zephyr put Cordelia behind him and padded forward. As the sound of the heel of his shoes hitting the marble floor echoed in the living room, it felt like the funeral bell ringing to William. Zephyr stood in front of William with an icy gaze and staunch expression, abruptly kicking the latter's chest.

"Argh!"

William fell to the floor and coughed blood with a hand clutching his chest in pain. He refused to give up, gripping the DNA test result in his hand tightly.

"You really won't give up, huh?" Zephyr spat coldly.

Fredric stopped him. "Z, stop kicking him. You might actually kill him."

Only then did Zephyr stop and return to Cordelia to hold her cold hands. William's voice was hoarse as he insisted, "Cordelia, I'm your-"

"You're a stupid and ignorant liar!" A deep voice sounded all of a sudden.

The door to the other room opened as well, and Liam and Rowan walked out.

In his black suit, Liam held his dragon-headed cane while Rowan looked sinister, like he had just stepped out of hell.

William, who was on the floor, looked at both of them with a gape.

"Heh, you want to trick me with just one fake DNA test?" Liam wore a stern look. "William Jenner, do you think I'm blind or deaf!? You think I don't know what you and Yale are up to!?" William was in complete despair as he slumped on the floor like he was crippled.

Liam asked in a deep voice, "Fredric, can what the b*stard said just now be used against him in court?"

"Of course!" Fredric chuckled. "Sir, I've recorded it for the exact purpose!"

"Then Mrs. Irwin will get her justice!"

Liam looked at Cordelia fondly and went over to pat her head.

"And you..." He said softly, "I'm getting whatever this man owes you back with interest!"

Zephyr looked at him. "Grandpa, before we settle him with legal procedures, I want to... hand him to dad!"

Rowan was stunned and stared at him.

Zephyr met his eyes and smiled. He knew that the one who hated William the most right now must be Rowan. Liam thought about it and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Alright, you decide! But don't do anything to him here... "Take William Jenner back to the manor. Don't dirty your house!"

...

Zephyr did as told.

Swiftly, the bodyguards outside the door took William to Hamerton Manor. The latter was thrown into the damp and dark basement. He was in so much pain, like all his bones were broken. In the dark, a set of footsteps approached him.

Rowan gritted his teeth. "William Jenner, it's time we settle our score!"

Chapter 579

Chapter 579

William was on the floor, supporting himself on his hands as he retreated on the cement floor.

It took everything within Rowan to hold back his urge to kill him.

"W-What do you want?" William's voice was shaky. "Rowan Irwin... lynching is illegal!"

"Lynching?" Rowan snickered. "You're not worth my effort! Hah, even if I do that, I'm breaking Centrolis' law, but I'm from Southeast Aciatic!"

"You..."

"Don't worry, Mr. Jenner!" Rowan gritted each word through his teeth. "This is not some lynching. On the contrary, I've heard that you've not been feeling well after going bankrupt and often feel dizzy and have high blood pressure... I'm here specifically to treat you!"

As soon as he said that, thin and long silver needles glinted in his hand. Rowan's eyes were surging with resentment. There was never a moment like now where he hoped to use everything he had learned to kill someone.

His hands had cured the injured and saved the dead. They had given countless people hope. At this moment, though, he was turning into a devil from an angel.

Despite that, he would rather become a devil if that meant the people he loved would not suffer again.

"N-No!" William was terrified. "You can't!"

With a blank face, Rowan yanked him up by his collar and stabbed a needle right in his neck!

The acupuncture point was not lethal, but it was agonizing. The pain seeped slowly, like poison, corroding whatever little willpower William had.

William's face contorted, and his cries resonated in the basement.

Rowan focused on the acupuncture points and landed one needle after another. They vented his rage and made up years of what he owed Xyla.

The needles were on William's neck and spine, where nerves were concentrated on. The extreme pain gradually made him delusional, and he struggled as he guffawed. "Hahaha... Rowan Irwin!" William's gaze was dazed, and he eventually lost his mind. "Even if you torture me and kill me, Xyla Irwin won't be what she was in the past!" Rowan's hands jolted.

"I made her my plaything a long time ago!" William was no longer sane. "I've had my share of fun with her! Haha..."

"I don't care." Rowan choked him on the neck with reddened eyes.

"You don't care? Don't f*cking act like you're noble! Haha... Which man wouldn't care about this? You say that, but you mind it! Even if you end up together with her, this will forever be a knot keeping you apart..."

"I said I don't care. Can you not understand!?" Rowan threw him off.

William was thrown to the wall and fell with a thud.

Rowan stepped on his face and ground down on it. "William Jenner, Xyla's clean. The filthy one is you! All the sh*t you did will only make my heart ache for her more!

"I won't send you to hell just like this. This would be too nice."

Rowan looked down at him and pulled out the last needle with a sinister smirk.

"What... What are you doing? Ahh..."

The needle went deep into the top of William's head.

Shortly, his eyes rolled back, and he convulsed on the floor, foaming at his mouth.

From now on, William was done for. He could not move but had conscious awareness. All his nerves would be in pain all the time, not violently so but like worms in his bones-permanent and insufferable.

Chapter 580

Chapter 580

Letting a person live lucidly in pain for the rest of their life was the biggest punishment. Rowan wiped his hand with a smirk. He took one last look at William and left quietly.

The early morning sun spilled through the memorial hall's traditional window and shone on the portraits of the Hamerton ancestors.

Many servants were crowding the door as they looked inside in worry. With the dull thud and an abrupt fall of a figure, they gasped and rushed in.

"Mr. Matthew fainted! Mr. Matthew fainted!"

"Go get Mr. Clark!

Clark came over with some other men to take care of the incident and relayed it to Liam with a solemn face.

Matthew had stayed on his knees in the memorial hall for one whole day without food or water and finally succumbed in the morning.

Liam's brows were furrowed as he tapped his dragon-headed cane on the floor, a cold gleam flashing across his eyes.

After some time, he got up and strode briskly to Matthew's place.

Matthew was having chicken soup when he heard that his father was coming to him. He quickly asked his servants to take it away and weakly pulled his blanket up to rest against the bed. "Are you feeling better?"

"Oh, dad, you're here..." Matthew pretended to get up but coughed violently just as he straightened up.

Liam looked cold. "You're not young anymore. The memorial hall's cold. How could you kneel there through the night?"

"Dad... I can't find peace if I don't ask for the ancestors' forgiveness..." Matthew began to wipe his tears. "I... I really didn't expect Yale to conspire with William Jenner!"

"Really?" Liam sneered. "The father has no idea of what his son's doing? Has your father-and-son relationship faded to this extent?"

"Well "

"Since you're distant now, there's no need to plead his case for him!"

Matthew was rendered speechless.

Liam glanced at him. His voice was stern, and his cane was loud against the floor. "Do you really think I'm senile!? Do you really feel guilty, or are you putting up a show for everyone kneeling in the memorial hall!?"

"Dad..."

Matthew quivered and turned pale, instantly bouncing off the bed and getting on his knees.

"Dad, are you really going to put Yale behind bars? H-He only wanted to steal the set of medicinal formulas because that b*stard William Jenner deceived him! He-"

"Shut up!" snarled Liam. "Deluded? Hah, does he have no brain? Does he not know what kind of person William Jenner is? I think birds of a feather flock together! He's the same type of person William Jenner is. That's why he's done such a humiliating thing!"

Matthew was sweating profusely as he shook.

"He's my eldest grandson. I once had high hopes for him. Even if he is not as talented as Zephyr, I thought it'd be more than enough that he'd manage the subsidiaries like his cousins. I didn't expect him to... "That set of medicinal formulas belongs to the Irwins!" Liam was furious. "And he wants to steal it!? What would that say about the Hamertons if word about this got out!? The Irwins are our in-laws. Wouldn't I be embarrassed in front of them!?"

Matthew had never seen his father this enraged. He was shocked as well and dared not say more.

After a while, Liam sighed. "The law will decide Yale's sentence. I'll get him a lawyer. His crime is far lighter than William Jenner's, so he won't be inside for too long!"

"Dad!" Matthew was on the floor clutching Liam's pants, crying and begging for the latter to have mercy.

"Dad... Yale's your grandson! It's embarrassing that he wanted to steal the Irwins' set of medicinal formulas, but is it not embarrassing that you send your own grandson to prison?"