Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Lucas sat in the back seat of the car, his face clouded with gloom.
Kennedy's sudden arrival stirred up painful memories from his past that he wished to bury forever.
Years ago, at a young age, he was branded a bastard and an illegitimate son, then thrown out of the house along with his mother, who lost all her assets and possessions. He was burning with a severe fever back then. Clutching him tightly, his mother got down on her knees at the Huttons’ entrance, begging for aid, but they replied without mercy, “We don’t care about the lives of those who are not one of the Huttons.”
After that, his mother wandered from place to place before settling in Orange County with him, where she labored tirelessly to put food on the table. Life was harsh, yet she managed to bring him up to manhood. But the relentless hard work and grueling existence finally took their toll, and she fell gravely ill.
Lucas had only just finished college at that point, and his pitiful salary barely scratched the surface of the enormous hospital costs. He humbled himself and approached the Huttons for assistance, but they turned him away coldly with cruel taunts and scorn, leaving him in utter despair and burning with hatred toward them.
Not long afterward, both he and Cheyenne got drugged, sparking a massive scandal that raced through the whole county. The Carters insisted he marry into their family.
He consented, but only if they provided fifty thousand dollars to cover his mother’s medical care.
Yet when he hurried to the hospital with the cash, it was too late—his mother had already slipped away.
Back then, Lucas was shattered, convinced he was a total loser. He couldn’t save his mother and felt unworthy of a remarkable woman like Cheyenne.
On top of that, the Carters had constantly ridiculed him before. So Lucas chose to abandon the Carters and enlist in the army. He vowed to forge his own path to success, enabling him to stand tall at Cheyenne’s side one day.
Now, he was back.
——
The vehicle raced down the highway, pulling up quickly at the Carter home.
Standing before the courtyard gate he knew so well, Lucas felt a wave of anxiety about stepping back into this place.
He had departed years earlier without a word, uncertain now of what Cheyenne truly felt about him.
Right as he raised his hand to rap on the door, bursts of lively laughter echoed from within.
“Mr. Miller, since you’re so sincere about Cheyenne, we’ll be direct. Let’s pick a date.”
Lucas froze in shock. He was sure that voice came from Karen, his mother-in-law and Cheyenne’s mom.
“Missus—Karen, you’re too courteous. We’ll be family soon, so no need for formality. Just use my name.”
“Of course, of course, you’re so youthful and smooth-talking. Cheyenne’s truly fortunate to have found you! As her parents, we can finally relax!”
“But I heard about her previous...”
“You mean that useless bum? No worries. The law says a missing person counts as dead after four years gone. He’s been vanished over six years now, so he must’ve perished in some ditch! If it still bothers you, we’ll head to court for the papers.”
“In my view, Cheyenne excels at everything, except her husband—my brother-in-law—is a total loser.”
“That scum isn’t your brother-in-law. From this point on, Mr. Miller is.”
Upon hearing these words, Lucas’s face darkened to an extreme, and he could no longer hold back.
He had returned for Cheyenne, only to overhear her family plotting her remarriage. Regardless, he needed to face her and sort things out.
Bang! Bang! He pounded on the door.
“Who’s there? Hold on.” Fresh from sealing her eldest daughter’s union with a rich fellow, Karen brimmed with joy and flung open the door with a wide smile.
But her face twisted in an instant upon seeing who stood there.
“You... you’re not dead?” Her features drained of color, shock plastered across them, now mixed with revulsion and contempt. This deadbeat is back!
Though Lucas looked different after all these years, she recognized him instantly—she’d mentally damned him countless times a day!
“I’m back, Karen,” Lucas stated evenly.
“How dare you show your face here, you parasite?! Don’t get familiar with me! It’s Mrs. Carter. Did your deadbeat mother never teach you respect?!” Karen bellowed, hands planted on her hips, brows knit tight. Her spittle nearly splattered onto Lucas’s face.
A surge of rage exploded in Lucas’s chest!
His mother’s passing remained an eternal wound in his soul, the spark of his defiance!
He balled his fists, reminding himself over and over not to strike, since this woman was Cheyenne’s real mother.
“What? Are you trying to hit me? You jinx! Why did you have to return right now of all times? You’re surely determined to make our lives miserable!”
“Who’s there?” Hearing the commotion, Cheyenne’s father emerged from the living room as well.
Upon spotting Lucas’s face, his eyes bulged wide in shock, and he lunged ahead with rage, aiming a punch straight at him!
“You bastard, how dare you show up again?! Why didn’t you just perish out there?! Huh?!”
Right before the fist could smash into Lucas’s face, a hand like an iron vise seized it firmly.
“Old fogey, you’re asking for death! How dare you attempt to strike Lucas...” Jordan, who had served as Lucas’s subordinate for years and regarded him as blood family, couldn’t bear to see him insulted by anyone.
His gaze turned frigid as he unleashed a chilling killing intent, scaring Cheyenne’s father until his face drained of all color!