Chapter 421: Coercion

Trembling with fear, Theodore stammered, "Dad."

"Come back here now!" his father's voice boomed, stern and authoritative.

"Dad, I'm busy. Can I come back later?"

"I said, now!"

"I have an appointment with Oscar. I can't stand him up." Theodore used Oscar as a shield.

"I've already told him. He's coming home now."

Silence. His father had cut him off.

"You have twenty minutes," his father said before hanging up.

"Dad, Dad!" Theodore pleaded, "Give me an hour, please!"

"What? Has it been too long since you've dabbled in family law?" His father's tone dripped with sarcasm.

Theodore shuddered at the thought.

"I've had Little Bunny picked up from the hospital," his father stated bluntly, then hung up.

"Fuck!" Theodore swore, and ran from the hospital. What the hell was his father up to?

He sat in his car, driving while calling Little Bunny, but her phone was off. He then called Oscar. "My father said you went to my house, Oscar?"

"Uncle Laird asked me to come. I'll be waiting for you there."

"Did my father say anything else?"

"No."

"Shit," Theodore cursed.

"What's wrong?" Oscar asked.

"My dad caught me with a woman!" Theodore gritted his teeth.

"When did he start supervising you like this?"

"The point is, I got her pregnant!"

"Good luck!" Oscar said nonchalantly.

"Damn," Theodore muttered, hanging up. He sped home, arriving at the Wold Castle within twenty minutes.

The castle, perched high in Kensbury City, was worth billions. Rumor had it that it was once a royal residence, and the Wold family, with their formidable background and ambiguous dealings, were powerful figures. The city's elite wouldn't dare provoke them.

Theodore, sweating with anxiety, saw Oscar. "Hurry, if they beat me, you have to protect me!"

Theodore feared only his father. But Oscar remained impassive.

"Aren't we brothers?" Theodore demanded.

"I'm afraid of getting involved."

"No, my father won't touch you. He might even bow to you."

"So what are you worried about?" Oscar raised an eyebrow.

Theodore frowned. He was terrified of his father's wrath.

"Your father knows our relationship; he called me to mediate," Oscar explained bluntly. "Relax, you won't die."

Theodore knew he wouldn't die, but he would be severely punished.

Oscar patted Theodore's shoulder and strode into the castle. Theodore followed.

In the hall, Laird Wold sat with a grim expression. Theodore avoided his father's gaze, looking instead at Little Bunny, who sat trembling, seeking his help. She hadn't anticipated this danger, and now regretted her actions. Had she overestimated her leverage?

Theodore approached his father timidly. "Dad, what did you want?"

Laird Wold ignored him, rising to greet Oscar respectfully. "Master Oscar."

"Uncle Laird," Oscar replied politely.

"Please, sit." Laird Wold led Oscar to the seats of honor. Oscar sat down, and Laird ordered tea. Oscar sipped his tea leisurely, leaving Theodore ignored. Theodore tried to signal Oscar, but he received no response.

Finally, Laird turned to Theodore. "What's the matter?"

"It's… like this," Theodore mumbled.

"You got her pregnant?"

"Maybe," Theodore whispered.

"What do you mean 'maybe'!" Laird slammed the tea table, nearly spilling the tea.

Theodore instinctively knelt. "Yes, it's mine."

"What are you going to do?"

"I know I shouldn't have slept around, but I'll get rid of the baby to avoid disgracing the family."

"You're riff-raff! You've disgraced our ancestors!"

"I'll change," Theodore said hastily.

"Change? When did you ever change?" Laird scoffed.

Theodore remained silent, kneeling. Then, Laird said, "Keep the child."

"What?" Theodore was stunned. How could he be a father at 25?

"Shut up!" Laird roared. "Abort your own child? Are you still a man?"

"But it was an accident! I only met her once!"

"You met her once and got her pregnant? Are you a beast?"

"Dad, there's no bond between us! The child will suffer! Every child deserves a happy family!" Theodore pleaded.

"Bonds can be developed over time."

"But Dad…"

"I've chosen a date." Laird interrupted.

"What date?"

"Your wedding day. The sixth of next month. It's auspicious."

"Dad, you can't force this! I have no feelings for her! This will harm us both…"

"Mike," Laird called.

"Yes, Mr. Wold."

"Bring the whip."

Theodore immediately submitted.