Chapter 821: This Time, It’s a Warning
Victor was infuriated by her words.
He cursed Tina's arrogance under his breath, regretting his decision to approach this woman for a deal. A flash of his mother's ashes turning to dust crossed his mind, and he abruptly stood up, a twisted smile on his face. "If you won't help, don't blame me for being ruthless!" he snarled. "Tina, let's settle the score today, including the one from last time with my mother!"
As Victor raised his hand, the bodyguards surrounding him prepared to swarm forward.
Tina's eyes were like frozen ice, calm and void of panic.
Before anyone could act, the private room's door burst open with a bang. Jared strode in, flanked by Hayden and several others.
"And who exactly are you planning to settle scores with?!" Jared's voice was cold and sharp. Behind him, more than ten bodyguards in black suits followed, swiftly surrounding Victor and his men.
Jared extended his long arm, pulling Tina behind him as his worried gaze fell on her. "Are you okay?"
Tina playfully pushed him. "Uncle, have you forgotten what happened during our training? Why worry?"
"Serena, did you spar with Mr. Farrell?" Hayden leaned over, his head popping into view. He wasn't concerned about Tina being hurt. His Serena was invincible. Victor's men didn't stand a chance against her. But Mr. Farrell? Clearly, his concern clouded his judgment.
Jared's expression froze momentarily. The icy mask on his face cracked slightly as he shot Hayden a disapproving glance. "That's between my wife and me. Stay out of it."
Tina was always protective of her husband's dignity in certain matters. Their private training sessions-where Jared occasionally lost to his wife-were their little secret, something they treated as a playful part of their relationship. No need to share it with Hayden.
Hence, she had no sympathy for the curious Hayden. With a quick wink, she signaled him to drop the subject. Then, turning to Jared, she shifted her gaze to Victor, whose face was as dark as a storm cloud. "Uncle, this Mr. Bailey here just warned me not to cross them."
Jared sneered. "And what if we do? Stray dogs-what's there to fear?"
"Jared, don't go too far!" Victor's voice trembled as he faced the overwhelming aura of someone younger. Especially someone from the Farrell family.
Victor's eyes burned with resentment. He had spent so many years climbing to his current position. Why did Jared get to inherit the Farrell family so effortlessly?
The more he thought about it, the more jealousy consumed him. His gaze darkened as he muttered, "I'm still your elder! Logan didn't teach you any manners, did he? Addressing your elders so disrespec-" Before he could finish, a sharp whistle pierced the air.
A dagger sliced through the space, grazing Victor's temple. A strand of white hair floated to the ground as the blade embedded itself firmly into the double-paned glass of the tearoom. Hayden's eyes widened. "Impressive!"
Nathan quickly pulled his stunned friend a few steps back, muttering, "There's killing intent in the air. This is no place to linger."
Tina, however, stared at Jared with sparkling eyes. "Uncle, not bad! Your knife-throwing skills have improved, though it didn't even draw blood this time."
Jared raised an eyebrow. His cold gaze softened momentarily as it brushed over Tina before turning back to Victor, once again sharp and oppressive.
"You're not worthy of uttering those words," Jared declared icily.
"This time, it's just a warning." His voice carried an air of authority that belied his age, rendering Victor speechless. "Next time, Victor, this dagger will pierce your skull."
With that, Jared turned away, as if even looking at Victor sullied his eyes. He wrapped his arm protectively around Tina's waist and led her out of the private room.
The group of men in black exited as swiftly as they had entered, leaving the once-crowded room eerily empty.
Woods swallowed hard, his uneasy gaze landing on Victor. He tried not to look at the trembling legs or the sweat dripping from Victor's forehead, but it was impossible to ignore.
The silence dragged on. Woods started to wonder if Victor had fallen asleep standing up when the man finally moved.
Victor took a shaky step forward, testing his balance to ensure he wouldn't collapse. Then, with a voice dripping with anger, he roared, "Just you wait!"
Woods thought to himself: Whether Jared will wait, I can't say. But if Ella Bailey hears about this, she'll probably laugh herself unconscious.
At that moment, a question Tina had asked earlier resurfaced in his mind.
Why had Victor become the head of the family?
How could Mr. Bailey, with all his intelligence, produce someone like... this?
The questions lingered in Woods' thoughts. Even years later, when the Bailey family crumbled, the mystery remained unsolved.
But now wasn't the time for such musings.
Johnson, ever perceptive, approached Victor cautiously. "Sir, it seems Tina won't budge. But we still have another option."
Victor's gaze was sharp, making Johnson flinch. Gulping nervously, Johnson leaned closer and whispered in Victor's ear, "Tina's out of reach. But we could target Hugo or Elsa's in-laws. I heard those old folks still go to the hospital regularly." Victor's pupils contracted.
The two elderly members of the Dyer family weren't worth mentioning, but Tina's father...
Victor thought of the gaping hole behind his mother's grave. Hatred surged within him, barely contained.NôvelDrama.Org holds this content.
But the thought of the Langdon family's potential retaliation quickly doused his fury. Shaking his head in frustration, he said, "No. That stubborn girl is too unpredictable. One misstep, and we'll lose everything. The Langdon family won't spare us."
After a pause, he added, "I'll visit the Langdon family myself. Take the others back for now. Wait for my return before making any moves."
Johnson nodded obediently.
The two parted ways at the tearoom.
When Johnson returned to the Bailey Manor with the bodyguards, Vivienne and Kelly rushed out to greet him.
Their eyes lit up at the sight of the men behind him.
"So that's where everyone disappeared to!" Vivienne exclaimed. "Perfect. I need a few of them. Let them come with me."
She reached out to grab the nearest bodyguard.
The man in black sidestepped her hand, turning his head toward Johnson as if seeking permission.
Although his face was obscured by sunglasses, Woods could easily interpret his intent from his posture.
Johnson hesitated. These were Victor's personal guards. Without his orders, not even Ella Bailey could command them, let alone Vivienne.
But judging by Vivienne's expression, refusing her would likely lead to trouble with Victor later.
Johnson, however, wasn't one to fear gossip.
"Madam, I'm sorry. Without the master's instructions, these men can't leave with you," he said firmly, stepping between Vivienne and the guards. "If you need protection, I can arrange other bodyguards for you."
Vivienne scowled. "Victor's men are mine too. We're husband and wife! Are you saying I don't even have the right to use his personal guards?" Johnson remained impassive. "I'm afraid not."