Chapter 144

"What do you mean by that, Uncle Clark?!" Irene exclaimed, outraged.

"Oh, nothing! I was just saying that someone as useless as you will find someone else just as useless!" Clark West retorted sarcastically.

The animosity between the two branches of the West family was well-known. Clark had orchestrated Irene's marriage to Trevor to save the family. Irene, orphaned at a young age, and her mother had suffered considerable abuse at the hands of Clark and his family.

"Uncle Clark, you're going too far!" Irene said furiously.

"What? Am I wrong?" Clark scoffed. "What have you accomplished? A woman leading a family! What a joke! Your only contribution is marrying into the Aquila family! But you keep running off. We won't tolerate this ruining the alliance!"

Irene, enraged, chose to restrain her anger.

"Just look at who you found for help," Clark said disdainfully, gesturing toward Dustin. "Do you think this punk can defeat Samuel Manson, the Terminator? I could probably kill him with a slap!"

Before Irene could respond, Dustin said, his voice dangerously low, "Oh? Do you think so?"

He ignored Clark's insults to Irene, but wouldn't tolerate being insulted himself.

"What? Unhappy with my comments?" Clark taunted, eyeing Dustin. He underestimated Dustin due to his youth and seemingly slight build.

"If you're so skilled, let's see it!" Clark challenged.

"Sure," Dustin replied coldly, and attacked.

The West family only saw a blur. Before Clark could react, Dustin's fist connected, sending him reeling backward. He landed, spitting blood. The West family was shocked.

While not exceptionally powerful, Clark was a sixth-grade fighter with a decent reputation in Lannopolis. Yet, he was sent flying before he could defend himself. The young man Irene had brought home had to be at least an eighth-grade fighter—a rarity for someone so young in Lovellia.

Chapter 144 (continued)

Irene was shocked by Dustin's strength, but also relieved. Though unfamiliar with the fighter grading system, she felt she'd chosen wisely. Clark landed hard in the yard, his face pale, his eyes wide with shock. He'd been utterly humiliated by a single blow from the youngster.

Huffily, Clark dragged himself back inside, yelling, "Punk! That was a sneak attack! You wouldn't have succeeded in a fair fight! You'll regret this!"

Dustin smirked. "Then block me properly next time. I'll only use half my strength," he said flatly. He'd only used a fraction of his power; otherwise, Clark would have been killed.

Clark, interpreting this as a taunt, raged, "You rude little brat!" His face contorted with fury. "For the West family's honor, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!" He lunged at Dustin.

(Today's Bonus Offer)