Judith was startled by the sudden arrival of six men. "Okay, okay," she stammered. "Wait here. I'll get the money." She rushed inside and returned shortly with a worn plastic bag.

Inside, she revealed a mix of one, two, and five-dollar bills, along with numerous quarters. Larger denominations were scarce—only seven or eight.

"F*cking change? Again?!" The scar-faced man snapped, gesturing to a companion. "Count it!"

"This'll take forever to count seven hundred bucks in change," the underling grumbled, but nonetheless started counting.

Severin, witnessing the scene, stepped forward, shielding Judith. "Hold it! When did my mother owe you money?" he demanded, his expression grim.

The scar-faced man scoffed. "Well, I'll be damned! I thought you were some beggar. I wouldn't have recognized you if you hadn't defended your mother. Aren't you the loser who hit Mister Easton with a beer bottle five years ago?"

He took a step closer, studying Severin. Scratching his head, he smirked. "You're out? I'll admit, your courage to hit Mister Easton, from that influential family, isimpressive."

Severin remained calm. "The past is the past. I don't regret it." He approached the scar-faced man, pointing to the bag of money. "What's with all this?"

The scar-faced man sneered. "What's to explain? You really think you wouldn't pay for beating up Mister Easton? The Loughs demanded two hundred thousand. Your fiancée sold your house to Easton for one hundred and fifty thousand. The remaining fifty thousand was to be paid in installments."

He stroked his chin. "Your parents paid back less than half over five years, leaving about twenty-six thousand. Good thing you got out early—you can help pay it off!"

The man counting the money complained, "Your momma always gives us small change. It's a waste of time!"

"It's five hundred and seventy-six dollars," Judith said, trembling.

"Fck this sht! It's short again!" The tattooed man threw the money down, glaring at Judith. "You trying to get yourself killed, old hag?! You're always short!"

"I think you're the ones who want to die," Severin said, his anger evident. The money, he knew, was his parents' hard-earned savings. "You want a beating?"

The six men immediately surrounded Severin and Judith.

The scar-faced man grinned viciously. "My fists are itching. It's been too long."

"No! D-d-don't hurt my son!" Judith pulled Severin back, producing an envelope. Inside were a letter and several ten-dollar bills. She quickly added them to the bag. "T-t-there! One hundred dollars. Six hundred and seventy-six! Only twenty-four dollars short!"

"Hiding money, were you? You wouldn't have given that hundred up without a threat, would you?" The scar-faced man sneered. "Trying to trick us?"

Severin's anger burned, but he controlled it, seeing Judith's fear. He smiled coldly at the men. "Scarface, we still owe twenty-six thousand, right? Don't get worked up. It's a small sum. I can pay it. No need for a ruckus."

"A small sum? This dirt-poor guy thinks twenty-six thousand is small! Pay up then!" The thugs laughed.

Severin picked up the bag and gave it to Judith. "Wait in the house, Mom. I'll get the money from the bank."

"Where'd you get the money, Severin? Don't lie," Judith said worriedly.

"Don't worry. Come on!" He ushered her inside.

Severin returned with a bank card, waving it. "See this? Don't underestimate me. Come with me for your twenty-six thousand."

"Is this kid serious?"

"Who cares? Getting it now saves us trips. Let's go."

The thugs followed, until they reached a large banyan tree. "What's this? I thought you were taking us to the bank?"

Severin smirked. "You really thought I'd pay after you roughed up my mother? In your dreams!"

"F*ck you, kid! Tricking us?!" The scar-faced man's veins bulged.

"You're asking for it!" The thugs attacked.

But as they lunged, a powerful pressure filled the air, rustling leaves and dropping the temperature. The six thugs, including the scar-faced man, dropped to their knees in agony. Stone slabs shattered beneath their knees.

"GRAAAH!" They howled.

"Forgive us!"

"We won't bother your parents again!"

Severin, looking at onlookers, said deeply, "I'm letting you go. But if you ever bother my parents again, I swear I'll kill you all! Now f*ck off!" The pressure vanished as they fled.

Severin clenched his fists. "You're ruthless, Lucy. Three years, and you cheat on me and sell our house for half its value—one hundred and fifty thousand for a three-hundred-thousand-dollar house! Schemers!"

He thought, I'll make you return everything! I didn't want to hold grudges, but you crossed the line!

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