Chapter 1026:
Brookâs blow landed hard across Hoytâs face, silencing him completely. âYou idiot! How many times do I have to say it? Compete if you must, but leave Lorna out of it â and stop trying to kill each other!â Brook barked.
His slap carried real force, enough to sting and send a message. It wasnât just punishment; it was laced with disappointment and built-up frustration.
Brookâs patience had already worn thin. Dealing with such a reckless son only deepened his dismay.
Still, he had no choice. These two were the only children he had.
âStraighten up and stop whining! What kind of nonsense is this? Didnât your mother teach you anything? Donât act like a complete failure!â
Hoyt stood there, clutching his face. His body leaned awkwardly, half-turned.
âDad, I was wrong,â he mumbled, his tone meek.
Hoyt didnât dare put on the victim act anymore.
Only then did he recall Novaâs advice â he should never appear weak or useless in front of Brook.
At last, Hoyt understood the truth.
What mattered to Brook wasnât family loyalty â it was his precious reputation.
âI wonât do it again,â Hoyt muttered, his voice trembling. âBut believe me, I never wanted to kill Lorna.â
His hand pressed against his swollen, reddened cheek as he spoke, his words full of resentment.
Disbelief and disappointment weighed heavily on him.
âKellan is the one who really wants me dead!â he added bitterly.
But Brook cut him off with a frosty, âShut up.â
He knew Kellan wouldnât bother framing Hoyt when it came to Lorna. That much was clear to him.
Brookâs voice carried no warmth, just a cold detachment. âIâve let a lot slide,â he said flatly. âBut going after your own family crosses the line.â
âI understand,â Hoyt muttered reluctantly.
He knew there was no point in defying Brook. The manâs word was final.
As Hoyt bowed his head, a flicker of defiance crossed his face. Could someone as cold and self-centered as Brook even care about family?
Hoyt didnât buy it for a second.
In his mind, Brook was being blatantly unfair.
Everyone he knew always sided with Kellan!
Family? Did they even treat him as part of it?
But Brook had no idea what Hoyt was thinking. His tone grew sharper with irritation. âGo outside, kneel for three hours, and think about what youâve done,â he ordered curtly.
Hoyt was taken aback and stammered, âBut Allison just beat me, and my body is stillââ
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