Chapter 42

In the Bryant family, Springer was always synonymous with being a loose cannon.

anyone rubbed him the wrong way, it didn’t matter who you were, he’d give you a piece of his mind, and that’s saying something because the person he was currently dressing down wasn’t even a Bryant, Quincy, found himself being dressed down by a kid barely into his teens. His face turned several shades of red, a mix of anger and humiliation. Still, he tried to maintain the dignity befitting a Henderson, his brows knotted as he questioned. “And just who might you be? I’m having a private conversation with my sister. Haven’t you heard of privacy?”

That condescending, almost parental tone only made Springer’s lip twitch with irritation.

Springer couldn’t stand being lectured, except maybe by Bacchus and his uncle. Anyone else rying to boss him around would get an earful on the spot.

“She ain’t your sister! She’s a Bryant now, and we’re her true family members. Look, that’s also he cousin!” Pointing at Hobson, Springer retorted, “What kind of brother does that make you? Stop trying to claim relatives where there ain’t none!”

Upstairs, Hobson was speechless. Why drag me into your mess?

Springer didn’t care what Hobson thought. He unleashed his full fury on Quincy. “I could hear you from upstairs yammering on about how ‘we’re not mad, we’ve been good to you.” Who are you trying to kid?! With that lame act, you think you can pull one over on the Bryant family? Winnie might be gullible, but the rest of us ain’t fools!”

Winnie felt assaulted by Springer.

Springer hadn’t heard the whole conversation, but he’d caught enough to get the gist.

The Henderson family were here begging for Winnie’s help, acting all high and mighty. Winnie might put up with it, but Springer sure wouldn’t.

He continued. “Your family have had your sights set across the pond and now you’re here putting on a family act? You can’t fool me, let alone someone as cold and ruthless as Winnie. You think you can deceive her with these cheap tricks?”

Winnie was speechless. That’s the second time. She was sure Springer was assaulting her!

Springer exploded, disgustedly picking up the bracelet from the box on the table.

“Really? A cheap bracelet is your idea of a favor? Seriously, who are you trying to offend here?”

Blazing with fury, Springer was about to fling that bracelet across the room.

Winnie’s face finally changed. With a swift flick of her fingers toward Springer, a surge of energy hit his raised hand Springer’s arm went numb, and for a moment, he couldn’t move it. Suddenly, Winnie, previously 13 12:46 bounding on an armchair, was by his side in two swift steps, snatching the bracelet from his grasa Her sharp gaze bore into him. She bad barely recovered that bracelet, and this bullheaded fool had almost destroyed it.

Winnie was sure Springer did it on purpose.

Now. Springer stood there, dumbfounded. His arm had been frozen, but as soon as Winnie took the bracelet, it was fine again! He didn’t doubt for a second that Winnie was behind it!

Upstairs, Hobson was equally shocked. Springer might not have seen clearly, but Hobson had the high ground, the perfect vantage point to witness Winnie’s movements.

In just two strides, she had covered the three–meter distance, bypassing the table without so much as a wobble. Did she know some kind of martial arts?

Quincy, on the other hand, wasn’t as impressed as Springer and Hobson. He had been watching Springer and was almost hoping to see the bracelet break.

To him, even though it was a family heirloom, if it broke in Springer’s hands, he could blame the Bryant family and demand reparations. They could even press the Bryant family to compensate for any business losses the Henderson family suffered because of them.

Ah, what a missed opportunity. Why didn’t he just drop It? Quincy looked at Springer, a tinge of regret in his eyes.

Winnie caught Quincy’s expression, her face cooling further. “If there’s nothing else, you should leave,” she said.

Quincy turned back to Winnie, his face a mix of frustration and helplessness, “Winnie, I really consider you part of the family. Why must you be so cold? Can’t you even listen to your own brother’s request?”

Hearing Quincy call himself ‘brother‘ again grated on Springer, who was about to let loose another barrage, but Winnie spoke first, her voice calm yet probing “Do you still the amulet I gave you?”

Her question, seemingly out of left field, made Springer and Quincy pause. Quincy took a second to realize what amulet she was referring to.

It was a piece she’d carved two years ago when she took gem sculpting and had given it to him as a keepsake. She had told him to keep it with him at all times.

Quincy had nodded and said all the right things then, but as soon as she turned away, he’d tossed the plain amulet aside like it was nothing Quincy hadn’t seen the amulet since that day.

“What’s with the sudden interest?” he asked, furrowing his brow, not feeling the slightest bit guilty.

But Winnie’s gaze was fixed on his injured arm and with a knowing smile, she said, “Looks like it’s gone She hadn’t told him when she gave it to him, but the amulet was actually a protective charm she’d crafted herself. The car accident he’d been in was due to the negative energy clinging to Kathryn. Had he been wearing the amulet, even a crash wouldn’t have left him injured.

But there he was, with a broken arm, which meant lost the amulet she’d with her own hands. And still, he had the nerve to claim he saw her as family It was laughable, really.

“Winnie…” Quincy began, clearly wanting to explain. But Winnie cut him off, no longer interested in hearing excuses. “If Kathryn wants to sort out her issues, she can come to me herself. As for the rest of you, keep your distance from her if you don’t want any more bad luck.”

At her words, Quincy’s face darkened, and Winnie added, “Take it or leave it, this is my final. piece of advice.”

Without waiting for a reply, she picked up the bracelet and headed upstairs, leaving the side room. Yes, she took the bracelet as compensation for that last piece of advice.

Quincy was taken aback by her abrupt departure and tried to follow, but Springer blocked his path and called out loudly, “Butler! Show him out!”

The butler appeared almost instantly, his face adorned with a practiced smile.

Escorting guests out was something he knew all too well.

Quincy was ushered out of the Bryant family home, and once the irritating presence was gone, Springer dashed upstairs.

He had a score to settle with Winnie.