Chapter 21: For My Father's Sake

Bernard and his sycophants, usually arrogant at school, knew better than to provoke a ruthless gangster. Their heads bowed, they remained silent, fearing to attract Maison's attention. The culprit trembled, then, catching Trevor's eye, had a sudden idea. He shoved Trevor from behind.

"Ah!" Caught off guard, Trevor nearly fell.

"What? Are you the one who hit me?" Maison grabbed Trevor's collar and hoisted him up.

"Yes, Mr. Ellis. He broke your watch," Grant lied. "Yes! I saw it," Bernard echoed.

Maison raised an eyebrow, scoffing, "You poor, lowly bastard. How will you compensate me?"

"I I can afford it, but I refuse," Trevor said firmly.

"Bah! Even selling your organs wouldn't cover it. You'll pay, one way or another," Maison said icily, glaring at Trevor.

"I'd pay if I broke it, but I didn't! Bernard's sidekick did!" Trevor retorted, veins bulging in his temples as he clutched his tennis racket and glared at the culprit. He wouldn't have been mistaken if he hadn't been shoved.

Bessie intervened. "He's telling the truth! That man hit the ball!"

Maison released Trevor's collar and approached Bernard's follower. "Did you hit the ball?" he asked, eyes narrowed. The follower's face paled; his legs trembled. He glanced at Bernard for help.

Maison swung the racket, hitting the follower in the stomach.

"Ah!" The follower groaned, clutching his stomach and sweating profusely.

Corrie and Bessie, terrified, clung to each other. Even Bernard and Grant were petrified. Their usual fooling around had unexpected consequences; they'd never been in a real fight. Maison's ferocious look and scar indicated he wouldn't spare them. He was clearly strong enough to beat them all.

Unlike the others, Trevor wasn't afraid; he was pleased to see Bernard's follower punished. 'You always bully me. Now, you'll taste your own medicine,' he thought.

Maison snorted. "Two choices: pay two million dollars, or let those two women sleep with me." He pointed at Bessie and Corrie, his gaze lingering on them.

Corrie's face went white. To Trevor's surprise, she blamed him. "Trevor, this is your fault! If you hadn't dodged, it wouldn't have hit Mr. Ellis!"

"Yes, why dodge?" Bernard chimed in.

"Enough!" Trevor roared. "Bernard, your sidekick hit the ball on purpose! You pay!"

"I'm not arguing. Two million, or the women?" Corrie cowered; she wasn't worth that much.

Grant, attempting to appease Maison, produced a pack of cigarettes. "Mr. Ellis, two million is too much. For my father's sake, please let this go."