Chapter 320

Tyler let out a low chuckle. In a voice dripping with sarcasm, he said, “You’re right. If you hadn’t gone around getting involved with so many women, you wouldn’t have ended up with so many sons.”

“You insolent rascal! Why bring up the past? I’m talking to you about William right now! I didn’t kick up a fuss with you over this before, but I’m making myself clear this very moment. From now on, stop interfering in the Lewises’ affairs!”

The rebellion etched in Tyler’s bones urged him not only to ignore Thomas’ warning, but also to rebuke the latter.

“Father, instead of picking on me for punishing wrongdoing, you should be teaching William how to be a faithful husband who doesn’t cheat. Isn’t that a better use of your time?”

Thomas stomped his foot in anger, his face dark with displeasure, the sagging skin on his face shaking. “Are you bent on angering me to an early grave?!”

“You underestimate yourself. You wouldn’t die so easily. I have a lot of work to attend to. Please don’t bother me any longer.” Tyler rested an arm on the backrest of the chair next to him, looking unperturbed.

There was nothing Thomas could do about Tyler. Out of all his sons, Tyler was the most stubborn. His headstrong ways were so deeply etched in his bones, he refused to admit his mistake despite the punishment he suffered.

Thomas had to admit, however, that Tyler was the most capable of the lot.

He had initially thought of training William, but William only had one-third of Tyler’s talent and ability.

Tyler was the only one whom Thomas felt reassured handing his business to—and also the only one he feared. No matter how hard he tried, Tyler was a lion he could never tame.

Thomas cut to the chase. “Tell me, have you fallen for that girl?”

Tyler looked lazily at Thomas and drawled, “Did you have one too many relationships when you were young? Why must romance always be involved?”

“I know you too well. You’d never poke your nose into other people’s business,” Thomas retorted.

“Save it. Quit being so confident about how well you know me. How well do you really know me? If you really knew me, you wouldn’t have put me under house arrest,” Tyler shot back.

He looked indifferent, but the chilly air he gave off only served to push people away.

“I only wanted you to become a strong pillar of the family,” Thomas tried to explain. “If a man couldn’t even take that minor suffering, he’d be a useless bum as an adult!”

“I was just a child at that time!” Tyler roared—something snapped from within, and he could no longer hold himself back.

Thomas fell silent; after a moment, he finally stood up and sighed helplessly.

“No matter what, this matter concerns the Lewis family. I’ll never allow you to destroy the foundation our ancestors built up over the generations for the sake of a woman.”

“We’re mere pawns to you,” Tyler cut him off, “and you’re just picking the one most useful to you.”

Thomas said nothing to refute Tyler’s claims, but he left with a harsh warning.

“I don’t care what you think. Whatever it is, I can’t let down our ancestors. Even if William divorces that woman, I’ll never give you a chance to be with her.”

He paused for a moment before saying through gritted teeth, “I’ll let that happen over my dead body!”