Chapter 458

"Dad?" Kenneth shouted again, but his father remained motionless. His subordinate, tears welling in his eyes, lowered his gaze. "Sir he's gone."

Kenneth's hope vanished instantly. His legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees, oblivious to the fresh blood seeping through his bandages as he crawled toward his father.

"Dad—" Kenneth's voice cracked as he reached out, slapping his father's face. The coldness of his skin told him everything. It was too late. There was nothing he could do. How could this happen? How could this happen? he kept asking himself.

He had left so suddenly, without saying goodbye. Only three days had passed, and now he was facing this nightmare.

His eyes burned with unshed tears as he choked back his grief, speechless with pain.

Odin immediately checked the surveillance cameras, but although the cameras were intact, the signal had been completely cut off during the critical period. No one knew what had happened. "Sir—" His subordinates exchanged uncertain glances, unsure how to comfort him.

But Kenneth wasn't listening. He kept slapping himself, his voice low and broken. "It's my fault, it's my fault! I didn't protect him."

If only he had known before leaving Lovell City, perhaps he could have made better arrangements. Perhaps this wouldn't have happened.

He hadn't done enough. This self-punishment felt meaningless.

Meanwhile, Tiffany arrived at the Harper family manor and stepped out of the car. The faint scent of blood hung in the air, tightening her heart with unease.

She slowed her pace; her vision was still blurry, but clearer than before.

As Tiffany approached, she saw Kenneth kneeling, repeatedly slapping his father's face. His subordinates stood nearby, clearly distressed, but none dared intervene. Tiffany checked Ryan's pulse—it was absent. The body was stiff, indicating death at least two hours prior.

She withdrew her hand and said softly, "Kenneth…"

He looked up, his face etched with grief, and pulled her into an embrace, like a child seeking solace. For once, Tiffany didn't pull away.

The sun had fully risen, and the rain, which had been gathering all night, began to pour. It washed away the blood, the sound of rain filling the air.

Tiffany let him hold her as the rain fell, ignoring the pain in her wound as she grew soaked. Half an hour passed before he finally released her.

His eyes were bloodshot, his usually composed handsome face now raw and broken.

Tiffany sighed, closing her eyes. "We need to get you to the hospital."