Chapter 20
“From the outset, I’ve emphasized this. As head of the Reyes family, you cannot act capriciously. You must be disciplined, self-controlled, and honor our traditions. Have you been disregarding my words?”
Davin, having endured his share of Ryan’s childhood punishments, understood their severity. Worried for his son, he interjected, “Dad, Chase was only protecting his stepsister. He may have overstepped, but his intentions were good.”
Frustrated, Ryan retorted, “The Reyes family adheres to a strict code: rewards and punishments. Like father, like son. Step aside, or you’ll face the consequences.”
“Take your shirt off,” Ryan commanded, his voice icy.
Chase obeyed, revealing faint scars on his back from the night with Nicole. Time had lessened their visibility, preventing immediate notice.
Without mercy, Ryan delivered a brutal lash, tearing the skin.
Nicole rushed forward. “Grandfather, this is my fault. If punishment is necessary, let it be me. I shouldn't have called Chase.” After Mrs. Reyes’ death, Davin’s decision to bring Patricia into the family had created friction between father and son. Ryan disliked Patricia, a feeling extending to Nicole.
“You know who's to blame. You're just like your stepmother—nothing but troublemakers.”
Ryan raised his hand to strike Nicole, but Chase shielded her, taking another harsh blow. Clapping echoed from the doorway.
Jack wheeled in Derek, who wore a smug grin. That comment sent shockwaves through the room. "You're so protective of Nicole. You'd think she was your wife, if you didn't know better."
The remark hit Chase hard, as if Derek had seen through him.
Patricia, who had remained indifferent to Chase’s beating, intervened. “Derek, you can't speak so carelessly. Nicole is of marrying age, and such rumors could ruin her reputation.”
“Oh, so you understand the importance of a woman's reputation,” Derek sneered, his sarcasm making Chase’s heart pound. Patricia knelt before Ryan. “It's my fault for not raising my daughter properly. Nicole relies too heavily on Chase. If blame is warranted, blame me. Spare the children.”
Already seething, Ryan snapped, “Who solicited your opinion? I haven't accepted you into this family. You don't deserve to be Davin's wife!”
“Grandfather, let me take the blame. This has nothing to do with Patricia or Nicole. Punish me instead.”
Derek, sneering, added, “Impressive how forgiving you are, even towards the woman who caused your mother's death. No wonder you're so easily manipulated. You can't even remember your own name.”
“Didn’t you swear you’d never return to the Reyes family, Derek? What changed today?”
Derek gave him a cold, commanding stare. “I’ve had a change of heart.” With a casual tap on his wheelchair armrest, he continued, “The Reyes family fortune belongs in my hands, not those of a failure like you.”
“What did you just say?”
Every eye in the Reyes family was fixed on him. Derek maneuvered his wheelchair closer to Chase, looking down. “I’ve had a change of heart, Chase.”
Chase’s face paled, his panic evident. I sensed a hidden connection between Derek and Chase.
Derek’s gaze was frigid as he declared, “Since you don't know how to appreciate what you have, from now on, I'll be taking control of everything related to the Reyes family.”