Chapter 168

Norman immediately sensed something was wrong. Lawrence seemed to harbor a deep hatred for Gilmore. It wasn't simply about Denton killing Cooper and Dean; they hadn't been killed by Gilmore. However, Lawrence's hatred for Gilmore was far more intense than his animosity toward Denton. Norman concluded that Lawrence harbored a grudge against Gilmore. He then recalled Lawrence mentioning in the elevator that he had come to Oakhaven to settle a score. Could this vendetta involve Gilmore?

"Mr. Ray, you seem to have a strong aversion to Gilmore," Norman observed, his tone exploratory. Lawrence snorted. "It's more than hatred. I want to skin him alive and see him die a tragic death." Norman's suspicions solidified. Feigning surprise, he asked, "Why?"

Lawrence explained, "Gilmore destroyed my son Clive's martial arts skills in Vista Verde and sent him to jail. I came to Oakhaven to get even."

Norman was genuinely surprised. He glanced at Clive, whose eyes blazed with anger, confirming Lawrence's truthfulness. Who would have thought Gilmore could render Clive completely useless in martial arts? Norman doubted Gilmore possessed exceptional martial arts skills himself. He'd seen Gilmore disarm an unarmed Benjamin, thwarting an assassination attempt—basic grappling, effective against ordinary people, but useless against masters. This suggested Benjamin's weakness. Norman assumed Clive was similarly frail, explaining Gilmore's success in dismantling his martial arts. Although Norman held a low opinion of Clive, he masked it. With feigned fury, he said to Lawrence, "Gilmore is heartless! He destroyed Clive's martial arts skills. Doesn't he realize crippling someone is more agonizing than killing them?"

Lawrence's knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists. "Tonight, I'll kill him and make him understand the consequences of ruining my son!"

"Mr. Ray," Norman interjected, "wouldn't that be letting him off too easily?"

Lawrence looked at him. "Mr. Weston, I'm listening."

"Gilmore is ruthless. He destroyed Clive's skills and caused him suffering. Simply killing him is too lenient."

"Any ideas, Mr. Weston?"

Norman's eyes gleamed. "In three days, there's a gathering of the ten wealthiest and most influential families. Numerous celebrities will attend. Mr. Ray, you can expose Gilmore and Denton's actions before all of Oakhaven's elite. Let him face reputational ruin, suffer physically and mentally, then publicly take his life to uphold justice. That would be satisfying!"

Lawrence's eyes lit up. "Mr. Weston, that's a good idea. I'll spare them two more days, then kill them!"

Throughout the banquet, Norman and Lawrence plotted against Denton and Gilmore. Benjamin, also present, watched with fanaticism. This was exactly what he wanted—to witness Gilmore's humiliation and death at the party.

Afterward, Norman drove Lawrence and Clive to the Weston manor. Benjamin remained at the hotel, ostensibly protected but actually monitored by Tobias's bodyguards, per Norman's instructions. This was to protect the secret of the treasure map, preventing Benjamin from revealing it to outsiders.

At the Carters' mansion, after Gilmore returned from the Palmers, Denton kept him for dinner. Before dinner, he took Gilmore to the garden to teach him martial arts. Though Gilmore claimed ignorance, he endured the lesson. Fortunately, dinner intervened.

After lunch, Claire said, "Gilmore, I need to talk to you." She went upstairs; Gilmore followed, suspecting it concerned his attempts to sow discord between Tobias and the Palmers. Tobias had sent Claire a video of Gilmore and Elaine together at a hotel.

In Claire's bedroom, Claire showed Gilmore the video. Feigning ignorance, he claimed Elaine was a woman he'd met needing help.

Claire was skeptical. Gilmore explained that Elaine's father had been in an accident, needing money urgently. Tobias had demanded sexual favors in exchange for a loan; Elaine refused and sought Gilmore's help.

Claire was furious at Tobias. Gilmore, claiming innocence, insisted nothing improper happened between him and Elaine, implying Elaine initiated any intimacy. Claire, believing Gilmore was not a man without morals, accepted his explanation.