Thaddeus replied nonchalantly, âDonât sweat it. Iâve been around the block a few times; Iâve got my own code of honor.â
Theo stealthily slipped his hand into his pocket, ending the call heâd been keeping on hold, and smiled at Thaddeus. âAlright, Mr. Thaddeus, your show.â
Well, it seemed like Theo wouldnât be his son-in-law then. Thaddeus clenched his fists tightly, ready to go all in.
âYou asked for it, no take-backs.â
Theo handed his coat to Collin. âWait for me outside.â
Collin was worried sick and began trying to talk some sense into Theo. âMr. Blanchet, Thaddeus is known for his brute force. A hundred hits from him could be lethal.â
Theoâs face was stone cold. He had no intention of backing down. He simply instructed, âIf Ellinor calls again, tell her Iâm okay. Tell her I was exhausted and fell asleep.â
Collin was on edge. âMr. Blanchetâ¦â
Ignoring Collinâs advice, Theo calmly faced Thaddeus. âLetâs get this show on the road!â
Thaddeus flexed his wrist, and without any mercy, he swung his bat down hard.
Theo grunted but stood his ground.
The first blow landed on Theoâs back. The intense pain caused beads of sweat to form on his forehead.
Collin didnât leave. Heâd never seen anything like this before and attempted to intervene. âMr.
Blanchetâ¦â
Theo snapped, âDonât, Collin. Get out! Donât interfere.â
Collin was dumbstruck. For the first time ever, he defied Mr. Blanchetâs orders, rushing in to protect him. But he was held back by Thaddeusâs men, helpless as he watched the horrifying scene unfold.
Thaddeus swung his bat down hard again, causing Theo to stifle a groan.
The second blow landed on Theoâs knee. The pain and his bodyâs reaction almost made him kneel.
Just as his knee was about to hit the ground, Theo clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, straightened his legs, and stood up to continue the fight.
Then came the third, fourth, fifth blowâ¦
At some point, Sophia barged in and threw herself onto Theo, who had already been beaten to the ground. âTheo! Theo⦠Dad! What the hell are you doing?!â
Theo lay on the ground. His leg was broken, his body was bruised, and blood was smeared on his lips.
Without looking at Sophia, he stared at Thaddeus. His voice was shaking slightly from pain. ââ¦ten more, keep going!â
After ninety blows, Thaddeusâs anger was pretty much spent. But he couldnât help but admire Theoâs tough spirit. He was indeed a stubborn lad.
Alright, then, heâll give him what he wanted.
As Sophia saw her father raise his bat again, she immediately threw herself in front of Theo. âDad!
Stop! You canât hit him anymore!â
Thaddeus frowned at his daughter. âSophia, move! Iâm punishing this cheating bastard. Iâll find you someone better.â
Sophia, with tears streaming down her face, shook her head firmly, refusing to move. âDad, didnât you promise me youâd talk things out with Theo? Why are you hitting him? You could kill him! If he dies, I donât want to live either!â