Chapter 234
“Honey, so you were thinking about it too…” Landon said, his voice low and teasing.
Landon let out a soft chuckle.
Some feelings were like wildfire–one gust of wind and they’d sweep across the whole prairie.
All his self-control was undone by just a single word from her.
His desires were stirring restlessly inside him.
“Ahem, I wasn’t really thinking about it… I just–I’m worried you might not be able to hold back,” Amelia mumbled, her voice growing softer and softer.
Honestly, for women, it was pretty easy to keep those kinds of urges under control.
But for guys… it was a whole different story.
Amelia felt so embarrassed she couldn’t even glance down at his lower half.
Especially when she remembered how long he’d been restraining himself in front of Monica’s beauty, she couldn’t help but feel maybe she should let him unwind a bit.
“Don’t worry, I don’t feel anything for other women,” Landon murmured, pressing a tender kiss to her earlobe. “You’re the only one I want…”
As the night deepened and the wind grew gentle, the couple who had been apart for two months finally couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
Because of Amelia’s pregnancy, they were both extra careful, but that only made things feel even more exciting in a whole new way.
Amelia slept soundly and sweetly in Landon’s arms, not waking until the sun was up.
So, she had no idea that in the middle of the night, Landon was clutching the back of his head, suffering through a splitting headache all alone. It took him a long, long time before the pain finally eased.
Time always seemed to slip away whenever the whole family was together.
In the blink of an eye, seven or eight days had already passed.
Kayla had gotten used to her childhood home again and finally let her guard down.
Seeing that Kayla was at ease, Gloria brought her over to Kingsley Manor to visit Donna.
“Kayla? Is that really you?” Donna couldn’t believe her eyes.
Her granddaughter, who had been kidnapped for over twenty years, had actually grown up and come back? Aside from the scars on her face, she looked perfectly fine.
Her features were striking, her bearing noble—she was every bit the true heiress, with an unmistakable air of aristocratic grace.
“Grandma, it’s me. I’m back,” Kayla said with a gentle smile, every gesture carrying a cool, elegant nobility.
Henry and Cynthia were so mad their faces were practically twisted with rage.
Both of their sons were finished, and now the second branch suddenly had both a son and a daughter again?
‘Weren’t their daughter supposed to be kidnapped and their son dead?’ they fumed inwardly.
“What happened to your face? How did it end up like this?” Donna asked, her voice full of concern.
“Oh, it’s just a little injury that didn’t heal right,” Kayla replied lightly, acting like it was nothing at all.
Henry said with a mocking tone, “That’s not just a little injury–your face is ruined. Even if you add all the engagement gifts in the world, no one would want to marry you.”
“It’s fine. I wasn’t planning on getting married anyway,” Kayla said, gently holding back her mother, who was about to speak up for her. She just smiled faintly.
“Since when do girls not get married? Honestly, you should get some work done on your face! It’s a joke for the Kingsley family’s eldest daughter to look like this–people will just laugh at us,” Cynthia said.
Gloria couldn’t hold it in anymore and snapped, “Look who’s talking. You’re not much to look at either, making the Kingsley family lose face. Maybe you should get some work done yourself.”
“You-!” Cynthia shot to her feet, her usual instinct to start cursing kicking in.
Landon suddenly stepped in front of her.
The force of his presence made Cynthia immediately back down.
After all, Kenneth was still locked up, and Patrick was left disabled. She didn’t have any sons to back her up now.
“Alright, alright. It’s not every day the whole family gets together. Let’s not make a scene,” Donna said.
Only then did Landon sit back down.
Donna glanced at Henry and Cynthia, then at the lively second branch, and let out a sigh. “Gloria, now that you’ve finally gotten what you wanted, you should spare a thought for your brother and sister-in-law too…”
“Here we go again!” Amelia said, rolling her eyes so hard she almost saw stars. “Grandma, seriously, how long are you going to keep playing favorites?”
Donna was left speechless for a moment.
Before Donna could say anything else, Amelia cut in, “This time, Landon was in danger overseas, and it was all thanks to Kenneth that he almost didn’t make it back. Out of consideration for his current condition, we won’t press any charges. But that’s it! We’re not making any more concessions!”
Henry’s face kept shifting between green and white, guilt and embarrassment written all over him.
With his useless son dragging him down, not only had his status in the family plummeted, but he was also running out of money.
Fraser’s medical bills were burning through their savings like crazy, and without any dividends from Kingsley Group, their family fortune was nearly wiped out.
No money, no confidence—he didn’t even have the guts to speak up anymore!
“Landon, I know you can’t stand my family anymore. I’m done fighting with you. Let’s just cut all ties in one go,” Henry said. “Give us 33 million dollars, and from now on, we’ll have nothing to do with each other.”
“Yes, that’s right!” Donna agreed.
If Henry and his family were careful with their spending, 33 million dollars could last them a lifetime. That was still better than the two branches constantly at each other’s throats.
Landon let out a mocking laugh. “Not a chance!”
Henry was stunned. “Why?
“Every cent was earned by me. Why on earth should I hand it over to you?” Landon shot back.
“I mean, to cut off all family ties," Henry stammered.
“Are we even family anymore? Uncle, you’re mistaken. There was a time when I didn’t want to wipe you out completely. But when Patrick joined forces with the Kington Gang to take my life, we became enemies,” Landon said, each word sharp and unwavering.
Henry had no way to argue back, so he could only turn to his mother with a desperate, pleading look.
Donna said, “Landon, you don’t want to see your uncle’s family reduced to begging for a living, do you? 33 million dollars isn’t much to you…”
“It’s not much, but I don’t feel like spending it,” Landon said, narrowing his eyes, his presence intimidating even without raising his voice. “There’s something I’ve never told you all—I’m with the Flying Tiger Sect.”
“What?” Henry was completely stunned.
He remembered Patrick explaining the Flying Tiger Sect to him before–it was a powerful organization on the government payroll, answering directly to the top authorities.
‘Landon is actually with the Flying Tiger Sect?’ Henry thought, his mind spinning.
“I also have evidence that Patrick joined the Kington Gang. All I have to do is report it up the chain…” Landon said, his voice cold and unwavering.
“No! Please, don’t!” Henry’s legs gave out, and he collapsed into his chair.
If that happened, Patrick would be finished! And it might even implicate his parents!
“That all depends on you, Uncle,” Landon said with a cold snort, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Henry looked at the second branch–the family he’d bullied so many times before–and finally admitted defeat.
“I don’t want the money anymore. I’m done! We’ll leave Norava and never set foot here again…” Henry said, his voice trembling with defeat.
“Henry, are you out of your mind?” Donna, who had no idea what was really going on, exclaimed in shock.
‘If I just push a little harder, I could still squeeze some money out of the second branch for us!’ she thought.
“Mom, Patrick has made too many mistakes. We owe them… Take care of yourself. We’re leaving!” Henry said through gritted teeth, grabbing Cynthia’s arm and pulling her away.
Donna was so furious she threw her cane down. “Are you all rebelling against me?”
Before Landon could react, Henry hurried back to grab the cane. “Mom, please, don’t get upset. This is the punishment the Henry branch deserves–it has nothing to do with them…”
Donna just stared in stunned silence, completely at a loss for words.
‘Has everyone gone crazy?’ she thought, her mind spinning.
“Mom, Patrick really messed up. This is the only way we can make it out alive…” Henry whispered urgently in Donna’s ear.
Donna was stunned into silence, watching helplessly as her beloved eldest son walked away.
Then, as if all her strength had left her, Donna collapsed back in her chair, her voice weak and tired. “You don’t have to come visit me anymore. Just make sure I have enough to eat, clothes to wear, and someone to look after me.”
“Alright.” Gloria agreed without hesitation.
Finally, they wouldn’t have to deal with their troublesome mother-in-law anymore!
Forget asking for money—she’d be happy to support her as long as she didn’t cause any more trouble!
Amelia knew her mother-in-law’s tricks all too well and just sat there, quietly smirking to herself.
Kayla leaned over with a wicked smile and teased, “Better watch out–your mother-in-law might come after you next.”