Winner Takes All

The voices of the authority holders rose like the tide and immediately cornered Patrick.NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.

Madam's cries and bow pushed Patrick further into the corner. The Hughes family had always preached filial piety, otherwise Patrick would not put up with Madam Hughes' antics.

Now even the Hughes family's one and the only elder had knelt, bowed, and cried. Now Patrick only had one option which was to sentence Jack to death.

Patrick ground his teeth like a furious lion as his bloodshot eyes looked at Jack. A tiger would not devour its young. He had owed Jack and Sophie far too much over these twenty over years. Then Patrick's eyes were determined as he took in a deep breath and said, "All the authority holders are to take Jack to the meeting hall. Killian will be responsible for George's funeral."

Avoiding it?

Madam Hughes looked up in surprise, glared at Patrick, and was about to speak but Patrick ordered, "Do you all think that disobedience is appropriate? Do you want to do this in full view of everyone?" With these words, Madam Hughes swallowed her words.

The rest of the authority holders frowned and held their tongues. Indeed, it was the head of the family's son who issued the 'Kill Declaration' and personally killed one of the potential heirs. This was a serious affair that was in full view of the servants and the younger generations.

The issue would get more complicated when more people were involved. If what happened today were to leak out, then the Hughes family would be a great embarrassment! In their desire to put Jack to death, they now gave Patrick an opportunity to counter them.

"If anyone was to leak out what happened here today, your family will be decimated for generations!" Patrick thundered sternly causing everyone to shudder in fear.

As soon as Patrick stormed out of the courtyard, all the authority holders quickly followed behind him. Jack was placed onto the wheelchair and then pushed to follow them.

"Grandma, I, I want to go!" Killian pushed through the crowd to grab and beg Madam Hughes. Madam Hughes said coldly as she composed herself, "Killian, do you think that I would let this heaven-sent opportunity go to waste?"

Heaven-sent opportunity?

Killian shuddered. These words were like a bucket of cold water dousing his spirits. He was overcome with grief and the indignation of George's death but slowly he regained his senses. "Killian, a life for a life!" Carter supported Madam Hughes as he approached Killian and then said angrily, "Have faith in my mother and me. You also must not disappoint us for this matter!" The next moment, Madam Hughes said coldly, "You must be ruthless to accomplish greater things, have you forgotten?"

Killian shuddered. What Carter and Madam Hughes said reverberated in his ears. His thin lips quivered as his eyes lit up.

On one side was his brother covered in blood while on the other side was the glorious status as the head of the Hughes family. Within seconds, Killian began to refocus.

"Hoof..." He heaved a sigh and it was as if Killian's tears evaporated.

He started to grin and smiled, "I understand, I'm sorry to frustrate grandmother and uncle Carter." He said respectfully like he was a different person.

"Good boy!" Madam Hughes praised and nodded, "I will seize on this heaven-sent opportunity today and secure your position as the head of the family!"

After saying this, both mother and son turned to walk out.

Killian remained in position as he looked at Madam Hughes leave with Carter. The guards and other family members also left. Only a few remained to help out with George's funeral. Killian waved his hand and ordered, "Leave, let me have a moment with my brother. No one is to enter." They left without a word. Everyone knew that Killian and George were brothers and could understand the pain that Killian was going through when George was killed in front of him.

As soon as the doors were shut, Killian turned to look at George's body and did not show any signs of sorrow. Instead, he was cold and emotionless. He pushed the eyeglasses on his nose, walked to George's body, and squat down. He looked at the blood-soaked body and at George whose eyes were still opened and said, "George, you've done a great service for me." Killian mumbled coldly as he gently covered George's forehead and slid downwards, "With your death, Jack will also be dead today. From today onwards, I will be unmatched among all the potential heirs. Rest assured that I will ensure that you enter the ancestral hall once I become the head of the family."

As Killian slid his hand down to close George's eyelids, the eyes remained open. Killian looked at the partially closed eyes and then he suddenly raged as his eyes turned bloodshot as he spoke through his clenched teeth, "What's the meaning of this, George? I'm your brother. It was Jack who killed you. Why are you staring at me?"

"Damn it, George, close your eyes and stop staring at me!"

"Close them, close them damn it!"

It was as if Killian had lost his mind as his right hand continued to force George's eyes to close. He felt chills running down his spine when George continued to stare at him with those lifeless eyes. Even Killian began to fear inexplicably.

"Argh!" Killian yelled out furiously when he tried unsuccessfully for the third time. He stiffened his pointer and middle fingers and drove them down into George's eyes like two stakes.

Pop!

Blood spurt onto Killian's hand. Now Killian was like a madman and gave a bloodthirsty smile as he wiped his blood-covered hand on George's face, "Now, you can rest in peace... my brother!" At the meeting hall.

The atmosphere was tensed and death was lingering in the air. The occasion was serious and dead silent.

Patrick sat at the position of the head of the family. He could feel the stares of the people even when his eyes were closed and he was deep in thoughts. He felt like he was sitting on a bed of nails.

What was he to do? What could he do now?

'Sophie, how can I... what can I do to protect Jack?' Patrick thought to himself.00000