Chapter 1696

Fabian squinted at the man who spoke, finding him vaguely familiar but unable to place his name.

"You are..." The man snickered, his words dripping with sarcasm and contempt. "Mr. Moore, you've raised an amazing daughter!" His cold eyes shot daggers at Fabian.

Maria growled, her fury ignited by the group's aggressive demeanor and their insults. "Who are you people?! How dare you come to my house and cause a ruckus? Do you think we're easy to bully?!" She couldn't tolerate their slander of her daughter.

A woman's voice cut through the air. "Are you saying your family isn't easy to bully, but ours is? If you don't hand over that murderer, Rhea Moore, today, you won't see the end of this!"

Maria, already agitated, was nearly consumed by rage. "Who are you calling a murderer?! You bastards! Who are you? Are you Mrs. Fike?!" she asked, a flicker of recognition in her memory.

Michelle sneered. "Who would've thought a noblewoman like you would remember me? Enough nonsense. Where is Rhea?" She started to barge into the house.

Maria reacted swiftly, blocking Michelle's path. "What are you doing?! What kind of place do you take my house for? How dare you bring a group of people in and slander my daughter? Don't think you're invincible because of the Fike family's ancestral background! Our family is not one you should mess with! If you continue to be so presumptuous, I'll call the police and have you all arrested!" She felt confident, knowing she had Cameron as leverage.

"All right! Call the police, and see who gets arrested!" Michelle taunted, a cold glint in her eyes, causing Maria to involuntarily recoil. The group's intense hatred and apparent murderous intent were unsettling.

Recognizing Elijah and Michelle, Fabian's demeanor softened slightly. The Fike family, despite their current circumstances, still held considerable status and connections in Kingsland, along with their ancestral wealth and a renowned miracle doctor.

"Hold up," Fabian interjected politely. "I think there's a misunderstanding. Mr. Fike, we've kept to ourselves. Why are you suddenly looking for my daughter? Did she do something to offend you?" He would have had others arrested, but he showed the Fikes a measure of respect.

Elijah remained unyielding. "Don't play dumb! Rhea kidnapped my son and injected him with a virus. Now, my son is suffering from the side effects. If you don't hand her over, fine. We'll just wait here until she shows up!"

Fabian and Maria were stunned. Maria exclaimed, "What are you saying? What virus? What kidnapping? Is this some type of joke?! Rhea is a soft-spoken and gentle girl! How can she kidnap your son?!"

Elijah retorted, "That's a question you should ask her! Since you know nothing about it, let her come and tell you!"