Chapter 60: Price of Defiance
What a twisted mind.
Yunice followed them into the main hall. Paul dropped into a chair off to the side, slouching comfortably against the backrest with his arms draped over the armrests. If Jackson werenโt in the room, he probably would have thrown a leg over the other knee like he owned the place. Owen took the seat next to Paul. Even Yunice had a seatโthough hers was set behind Owen, farther from the center. She hesitated before sitting down. When she looked up again, she realized there were no more empty chairs in sight. Wyatt stood alone in the center of the hall. No one had even thought to offer him a seat. Jackson took the main seat. Jensen wasnโt around, but his young wife, Linda, stood by Jacksonโs side, dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief.
The moment she saw Wyatt, Linda began scolding him. โWyatt, donโt blame Jackson for hitting you. You really crossed the line this time! Youโre olderโPaulโs your nephew. Youโre supposed to let things slide. How could you beat him so bad he canโt even get out of bed?โ Then she added, โIf youโd come back right away and apologized, Jackson wouldnโt have been mad. But noโhe sent people after you more than once, and you just ignored them. Isnโt that just you deliberately trying to piss him off?โ
Wyatt leaned on his cane, one shoulder lifting slightly as he shifted his weight to save his strength. As he listened to the accusations Linda threw at him, a smirk tugged at his lips. His eyes and expression brimmed with mockery. He didnโt even look directly at Jackson. Instead, his sideways glance happened to land on Yunice, sitting quietly in the farthest corner. Maybe he hadnโt expected her to be there. Something flickered in his eyes for just a second, but it vanished quickly. He turned his head and gave Linda a look of cold amusement.
โAll this effort just to put on a show? You really went all in to make your drama play out,โ Wyatt adjusted his cane and took a step closer to Jackson. He didnโt even glance at Linda. His eyes locked on Jackson as he added with a cold smirk, โIf youโve got something to say, just say it. Iโm not here to play along with your drama.โ
โYou arrogant punk!โ Jackson slammed his hand on the table. With guests watching, he wasnโt about to let Wyatt challenge him like that. โLooks like itโs time I reminded you whoโs in charge!โ
Wyatt didnโt even flinch. He let out a dry chuckle. โYou forget who youโre talking to? We donโt even share the same last name. What makes you think you get to tell me what to do?โ
Jacksonโs eyes bulged with rage. He slammed the table again and shot to his feet. โBring in the rods! Iโm going to deal with this disgrace of a son right here, in front of everyone!โ
Jackson was doing this on purposeโputting on a show in front of outsiders so everyone would know that no matter how capable Wyatt was, he still had to answer to the Powell family. He wanted to make sure Wyatt understood the price of going against him.
As four men carrying heavy staffs marched into the hall, Paul felt a rush of excitement surge through him. He threw a quick look at Yunice, thinking, Letโs see if sheโs still into Wyatt once heโs on the ground, beaten like a dog.
Yunice clutched the scarf around her shoulders, eyes locked on the four men approaching Wyatt.
When Wyatt showed no sign of backing down, Jackson exploded. โHit him! Donโt stop until he gives in!โ
Wyatt glared coldly at the men closing in. But no matter how tough you were, it was their turfโand around here, the Powell family called the shots. No one was going to stand up for him. Two enforcers stepped forward, grabbed him by the shoulders, and started forcing him down. The veins on the back of his hands bulged as he clenched his jaw and fought back. But at the end of the day, he was still a crippleโhow long could he hold out? With a sharp crack, one of his knees hit the floor. Wyatt winced, his brow tighteningโbut that other leg held firm, refusing to give in.
Yunice flinched at the sound. Paul sat back with a smug grin, chin tilted up like he was enjoying the show unfolding in front of him. Owen didnโt react. He just watched with cold, detached eyes. Yunice tightened her grip on her scarf, eyes locked on Wyatt. Sweat clung to the tip of his nose. Even pinned down, he held his head high, his glare locked on Jackson, seething with rage. Jackson stared right back. Father and sonโbut in that moment, they looked like enemies ready to kill.
One of the men holding Wyatt stepped forward and kicked his cane to the side. Then, he nudged it even farther, making sure he couldnโt reach it. The cane rattled across the floor, landing right at Yuniceโs feet. That finally drew Jacksonโs and Lindaโs attention to herโbut neither of them seemed to care she was there. They looked away just as quickly. Wyatt had lost his only support. Behind him, one of the men raised his staff highโthen brought it crashing down across Wyattโs back with full force.