Chapter 118
Janet couldnât believe what she was seeing.
Everyone told her that Danton adored Andre and he was a loving father.
But what kind of loving father lashed his son in a dark back alley?!
All guards stood in their spots quietly, watching this scene in silence. They seemed quite used to this.
Hearing that Danton asked him to kneel, Andreâs body quivered.
He looked at Danton with a pleading look and begged, âFatherâ¦I-I canât. My leg is broken. Can you spare me for this time, please?â
There was a wicked gleam in Dantonâs eyes. His face was cold and heartless as ever.
âYou are a fucking dog to me, Andre. You do whatever I ask you to do,â Danton said icily, âGet on your fucking knees. NOW.â
Andre bit his lips with tears circling in his eyes.
Slowly, he moved his injured legs. The extreme pain caused him to sweat heavily.
He eventually managed to kneel on the ground, panting nonstop.
âGood.â
Danton said in a freezing voice, âI heard that you got into some troubles with somebody tonight. Who did you mess with?â
âA-Alpha Daran and his Gamma Janetâ¦but I was drunk, father! I didnât know who. they were when I-Ahh!â
SLAP!
A hot slap landed on Andreâs cheek. His left side face became swollen immediately. âFucking lying piece of shit!â Danton roared.
He grabbed Andre by the collar and glared at the kid, âDid you approach them on purpose? Do you think that they can help you? Getting you out of my control? Is that what you were thinking?!â
âNO! Father!â Andre cried in despair, âIt was a coincidence! I know that they are our enemy. I would never approach them on purpose. I swear!â
Yet his pleading meant nothing to Danton.
Another hot slap landed on his right cheek this time.
âYou should be grateful for being alive,â Danton looked down at Andre
condescendingly. âThe King pardoned your life, and I nurtured you up. You will talk and behave exactly like we want you to. Understand?â
ââ¦Yes, father.â
âI am watching you, son. Be a good boy. You donât want to get punished, do you?â Andreâs body twitched when he heard the word âpunishâ as though it triggered some horrible memories.
He nodded hastily, âNo, no punishment, father. I will be good.â
Danton smirked and patted his head, âNow we are talking. As long as you listen to me, I will make sure that you live a comfortable life. Oh, I heard that you signed up for a combat lesson with a private trainer. Why do you need to learn combat?â
Fear flickered across Andreâs eyes.
ââ¦Nothing. Just a little interest,â he murmured.
âWell, a worm like you doesnât need to learn combat,â Danton scorned. âI have canceled that lesson for you.â
Andre lowered his head, ââ¦Yes Father.â
âGo to some parties. Women and booze are enough to keep you occupied. I heard that there is a Spring Fling party next week. Be there and have some fun. OK?â
ââ¦Yes Father.â
Danton seemed pleased with Andreâs obedience. He snapped his fingers and beckoned the guards over.
âBring Mater Andre to the hospital. I donât want my son to become a fucking limp.â
âYes, General.â
They brought Andre into the car.
The car drove away and disappeared into the darkness.
Daran opened the door and walked into the back alley with Janet. Both of them were still in shock because of what they just saw.
âIâ¦I canât believe this.â Janet shook her head in astonishment, âDanton treated Andre horribly! How come nobody ever found out about this?â
Daran snorted, âDanton must be really careful. He doesnât want the others to raise questions about Andreâs true identity. But when they are alone, his monster side comes out again.â
ââ¦Poor kid,â Janet murmured.
When she first met Andre, she thought that he was nothing but a spoiled little brat.
Yet after seeing what happened in the back alley, she couldnât help but feel sorry for him.
Andre must have lived a difficult life.
Nobody in this city cared for him.
He had to put up with Dantonâs violence while pretending to be Dantonâs loving son on the outside. And there was no one he could turn to for help.
The kid was barely 18.
âThis works to our advantage,â Daran turned to Janet and said. âNow we know that Danton and Andreâs relationship isnât as solid as we believe. We can find a chance to crack it and persuade Andre to work with us.â
Janet nodded, âWe just need a chance to talk to him.â
âYou heard what Danton said to Andre. Spring Fling party, next week. It is a perfect opportunity.â
Janet pulled out her phone and dialed Morganaâs number.
It went through on the first ring, âYes?â
âMorgana, we heard that there will be a Spring Fling party next week and Andre will be there. Can you get us on the guest list?â
âSure. You want to talk to Andre at that party?â
âYes. But we donât want to catch peopleâs attention. The last thing we need is for Lance to find out that we are approaching the former Kingâs son.â
Morgana chuckled pleasantly, âWell, then this party works out perfectly for your plan.â
âWhy is that?â
âBecause it is a masquerade ball. No one will have a damn clue about who you are.â
The masquerade ball was on the upcoming Monday,
All the officers and nobles in the city would be there, including Andre. Janet asked Morganá to help them make the ball gown in secret. So nobody-not even their maids and guards-knew that they were going to the masquerade ball. On the day of the ball, Janet did her own makeup and got dressed. Daran was at the
11
ball already. They would meet at the ball later.
Tonight, Janet was dressed in an exquisite, ankle-length black velvet gown. The fitted bodice was accented with a deep sweetheart neckline, highlighting her graceful collarbone.
A gold masquerade mask, adorned with black and gold feathers, obscured her face. Her hair was pinned up in a soft, romantic updo, tendrils framing her face. The finishing touch was a pair of black satin stiletto heels, giving her an air of mystery and allure.
When Janet stepped into the venue, everyone nearby turned to look at her.
Among all those beautiful women who attended the ball tonight, Janet was without doubt the brightest star.
Yet Janet didnât pay any attention to otherâs gaze.
She was busy searching among the guests, looking for Daran in the crowd.
Everyone here wore a mask tonight. She wasnât sure which one was Daran.
Just then, a tall figure made his way down the marble staircase and walked towards Janet.
He wore a sharp black tuxedo, which complemented his athletic build perfectly. The tuxedo was expertly tailored to accentuate his broad shoulders and muscular arms. The slim-cut trousers hugged his thighs and calves, showcasing the strength in his legs.
The overall look emphasized his powerful and statuesque physique, making him a striking figure in the sea of guests at the masquerade ball.
He walked up to Janet directly, as though he was certain that she was the one that he was looking for.
âHey.â
Janet smiled and looked at him.
The silver masquerade mask that he wore covered half of his face, revealing a hint of
his strong jawline.
âHow do you know that it is me?â she giggled.
Daranâs lips curved up into a gentle smile. He gently stroked the feather on her mask
and answered in a husky voice, âI can find you in a sea of people instantly. It is my superpower.â
Just then, an orchestra started to play classical tunes in the background, setting the rhythm for the dancers twirling around the dance floor.
âLook over there,â Daran whispered into Janetâs ears.
Janet followed the direction of his gaze and found Andre standing alone by the dancefloor, holding a glass of champagne.
Target spotted.
âLet us go talk to him,â Daran said.
Yet Janet put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.
âNo, I got this one.â she smiled. âYou look out for me
supripowel.
Just then, an orchestra started to play classical tunes in the background, setting the rhythm for the dancers twirling around the dance floor.
âLook over there,â Daran whispered into Janetâs ears.
Janet followed the direction of his gaze and found Andre standing alone by the dancefloor, holding a glass of champagne.
Target spotted.
âLet us go talk to him,â Daran said.
Yet Janet put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.
âNo, I got this one,â she smiled. âYou look out for me.â
She picked up her long skirt and walked towards Andre.