Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the temple as the doors were thrust open with force.
Mylo, who was expected to be in a distant town, had returned unexpectedly to Stastle.
âRonan!â he exclaimed, rushing forward and pushing Sonny aside.
He enveloped Ronan in a protective embrace, his concern evident as he assessed the wound on Ronanâs leg.
Ronan seemed to find solace in Myloâs presence amidst his despair.
âDad, Nathan plans to condemn me to the horrors of a high-security prison.
Please, help me.
I canât bear the thought of going there, but I donât want to die either!â
Despite his hatred towards Nathan, Mylo softened his tone and persuaded, âNathan, Ronan may have erred, but he is still a descendant of the Payne family.
How can you condemn him to such a fate that might potentially end his life? While itâs undeniable that Ronan bears responsibility for his actions, the severity of the punishment seems disproportionate.
You could even opt for corporal punishment, but sentencing him to a high-security prison seems excessive.
It might be wiser to address the family matters internally.
â
âWhen Ronan conspired with an outsider to harm Grandpa, did he not consider the inevitable consequences of being discovered? His actions indicate an awareness of responsibility.
Sonny, handcuff him and escort him away,â Nathan remained resolute, unmoved by Myloâs pleas.
âUnderstood, Nathan,â Sonny responded dutifully, retrieving the handcuffs and advancing towards Ronan, but Mylo positioned himself before Sonny, barring Sonny from laying a hand on Ronan.
âYouâre being excessively harsh, Nathan.
Ronan is your cousin.
Your Grandpa only has a few grandsons.
Surely, you donât want to bring sadness to him.
â
Nathanâs patience wore thin.
âSending Ronan to a high-security prison is already the most lenient option I have.
Despite the hardships he may face there, heâll still have access to basic necessities like three meals a day.
Even if he meets an unfortunate end, he brought it upon himself.
He made his bed, he must lie in it.
Take him away!â
âNo way! No!â
Chaos engulfed the ancestral temple, the air thick with tension and disagreement.
A cacophony of wails, shouts, and pleas for mercy filled the air, creating a terrifying atmosphere of despair and anguish.
The tumult in the ancestral temple persisted until Kern hurriedly arrived, bringing an end to the chaos.
âMr.
Payne, your grandpa has awakened.
Leave Ronan be and go see him!â
Norton had regained consciousnessâa momentous occasion indeed.
With Sonny in tow, Nathan departed the ancestral temple, his gaze fixed forward, and hastened towards Nortonâs bedroom.
Mylo extended a supportive hand to Ronan, whose trembling frame betrayed the intensity of his pain.
Ronanâs thigh bore the harsh impact of a gunshot, rendering him immobile with agony.
âDad, Nathan is too heartless.
I can barely endure this agony.
Please, let us attend to my wound before anything else.
â
Mylo sighed softly, saying, âNo, my son, you cannot conceal it.
Your injury serves as the most potent plea.
Your grandfather must bear witness to its gravity.
â
Understanding dawned upon Ronan, his resolve steeling as he clenched his teeth, supported by Mylo as they headed to Nortonâs room.
Meanwhile, Lucinda summoned Hilliard back to Peace Mountain, asking him to accompany Jennifer.
Within Nortonâs bedroom, only the Payne familyâs medical team stood vigil, their dedication unwavering.
As Nathan approached the door, the sound of Nortonâs cough reached his ears.
He hastened his steps and settled gently on the edge of Nortonâs bed.