Chapter 976

Despite her fear of the imposing man before her, Blake stood bravely in front of Grace and Mya. Blake declared with a shaky voice, “I-I’m warning you, don’t even think about touching Mya.”

Mya, hiding behind Grace, timidly praised Blake in a soft voice, just loud enough for everyone to hear, “Blake, you’re so brave.”

Fred, who had come expecting a different reception, frowned sternly at Mya. He thought, ‘I didn’t expect her to be so scared of me.’

“Mya, come here,” Fred commanded.

Mya was frightened by Fred’s command and burst into tears. She said, “No, you’re a bad guy. Mom said you’ve been with many women, you’re unclean. She and Madelyn told me not to be friends with you, and I don’t want to see you ever again!”

Mya recalled how Fred had hurt her last time. To Mya, Fred was as bad as Luke.

After that, Mya clutched her doll and hurried upstairs, not even glancing back at Fred. He had not expected such rejection. After traveling from Ventropolis to Sutherlyn, that was not an outcome he would accept.

Grace stepped forward with tears in her eyes. She said, “Mr. Turner, I beg you, please spare my daughter. She’s very simple-minded, so please show mercy. You can have anything from our family, just please leave Mya alone.”

Blake hurried to support Grace as Fred declared dominantly, “No one can stop me from taking who I want. Even if I have to burn down the Harper residence, I’ll take her with me.”

Riley nodded and said, “Yes, sir.”

Then, a group of men barged in forcefully. Blake stood brave with a stick and warned, “I’m telling you, as long as I’m here, you’re not taking Mya away.”

But in the very next instant, Blake was easily overpowered and thrown to the ground. Grace tried to stop them but was also knocked down. Grace cried out in despair and pleaded, “No… Don’t take Mya away.”

Fred walked down the stairs, unfazed. Grace clung to Fred’s leg and continued, “She’s my only daughter, please don’t harm her.”

Blake, in a fit of desperation, blocked Fred’s path. She exclaimed, “How dare you torment Mya like this after what you’ve done? It’s because of men like you that she’s become like this.

“Mark my words, if you take her today, she’ll become insane. Her intellect will regress to that of a three-

year-old, unable to understand anything, not even recognizing us. And even if we don’t stop you, can you ensure you’ll always treat her well? She’ll only end up discarded and left to fend for herself.

“We don’t know your motives, but I tell you, if you forcibly take her today, she’ll make your life hell, then starve herself to death, leaving you helpless.

“Only here can she receive treatment and recover.”