"Let them in!"
After a moment of thought, Alan finally agreed to meet with Nick and Marcia.
Marcia stormed in, her face grim. The moment she saw John, she raised her hand and slapped at him without hesitation.
Slap!
But John blocked her effortlessly, and her palm landed on his arm instead.
Seething with anger, Marcia snapped coldly, "You promised to take care of Queenie, to give her the best life. Look at what you've done! You're nothing but a liar and a troublemaker. Sooner or later, you'll drag her into even more danger!"
"Mom, it wasn't John's fault…" Queenie tried to explain. She knew it was Andy who provoked John first. But Marcia cut her off sharply.
"It's all his fault! Queenie, from this moment on, you are not to see this man again. Don't go back to New York. Stay with the Yeats family. We'll protect you."
"Mom…"
"Enough!"
Marcia's tone left no room for argument. Her decision was final—Queenie would return with them whether she agreed or not. Marcia would even confine her to the house if that's what it took.
Then suddenly—
"Ha! Wonderful!"
Alan burst into laughter, clapping his hands slowly. "What a show—mother and daughter fighting over a man. But don't forget where you are. This is the Brown family's house. You don't get to act so high and mighty here."
His voice carried a chilling authority.
The air in the room grew tense.
Marcia quickly swallowed her fury and put on a composed, apologetic smile.
"Mr. Brown," she said, her voice low. "John may have hurt your son, but it has nothing to do with my daughter. I ask that you let her leave peacefully…"
"Absolutely not!"
Alan snapped, cutting her off.
He rose from his armchair, and an oppressive, dangerous aura spread through the hall.
"To be frank," he continued with a sinister smirk, "I like your daughter. I've decided to keep her here for the night. Marcia, you and your husband can go home now. I'll return her to you in the morning… maybe even afternoon."
He chuckled darkly. "Now get out before I change my mind."
Then he added with a vile grin, "Or if you prefer, stay here with me tonight—and let your daughter spend the night with my son."
"What?!"
Marcia's face turned ashen.
Nick stepped forward, his voice shaking with fury. "Alan, don't go too far. We may not have martial artists in the Yeats family, but we're not to be underestimated!"
Alan sneered, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Nick.
"Oh? Is that so?"
The cold force of Alan's presence surged forward, and Nick instinctively took a step back. The aura of a martial artist was simply too overwhelming for an ordinary person.
Alan scoffed and turned away. "The Yeats family? You're nothing to me."
Nick trembled slightly, crushed by a sense of helplessness. The power gap between them was undeniable.
But then—
"Alan."
Marcia's expression changed. Her tone dropped, calm but powerful. "If you think the Yeats family is nobody… then what about the Kelvin family in Chicago?"
Alan's smirk froze.
"The Kelvin family?" he repeated slowly. "You mean… Adam Kelvin?"
"Yes," Marcia said, meeting his gaze. "He's my grandfather."
"What?!"
Alan's pupils contracted sharply. He was stunned.
Adam Kelvin…
An ancient name with immense weight.
There was an old man in the Kelvin family—nearly a hundred years old—named Adam. A legendary martial artist. It was rumored that he had reached the level of a Heaven Master long ago, and perhaps even beyond.
Alan had never imagined that Marcia was Adam's granddaughter.
She had kept her family background hidden for years, even after marrying Nick. No one in New York had known.
If not for her daughter's safety, Marcia would never have revealed it now.
Alan stared at her in silence, processing the revelation.
He didn't want to back down.
But… he couldn't afford to take the risk.
He knew how terrifying a Heaven Master could be—capable of killing with a mere flick of their will. Not even a family like the Browns could afford such wrath.
After a long pause, Alan gritted his teeth and growled, "Fine. Take your daughter and leave."
"Dad…" Andy muttered, confused and reluctant.
"Shut up!"
Alan barked. Andy had no choice but to obey, though he didn't understand why his father was backing off.
Of course Alan didn't want them to leave.
But he knew better than to invite disaster.
A moment later, Alan pointed directly at John and barked, "He stays. I'll break his hands and feet. He has to pay for what he did to my son."
His eyes burned with rage. Someone had to suffer.
Marcia's tone turned cold. "Fine by me. This arrogant brat deserves to be taught a lesson."
"No! I won't leave him behind!"
Everyone turned as Queenie suddenly stepped forward and grabbed John's arm, her voice unwavering.
"Queenie," Marcia said sharply. "That boy attacked Andy. He must face the consequences. Come with us. Leave him."
"No."
Queenie shook her head firmly.
"Queenie…" John said gently, brushing her hair back with a soft smile. "You should go."
"But…"
"Be good. Or I'll have to spank you."