Chapter 1826

That dumbass Calvin had already been let off the hook once. But this time, Andrew had no intention of showing mercy. To him, it made no difference whether Calvin died in Blumedale, back in Gabo Creek, or right here in Goldridge.

Calvin’s face twisted with rage. He hadn't expected Andrew to provoke him so openly. Yet, before he could speak, a sharp scream rang out from the center of the hall.

Startled, he whipped his head around, shouting, “Terry, what happened to you?”

Terry, locked in a fierce fight with Zachary, had taken a hard kick to the chest and stumbled backward. He landed flat on his backside, his face ashen.

Zachary pulled back, shaking his head. “Terry, you’re no match for me. Just give up. I’m holding back out of respect for the Peck family. I don’t want to go too far.”

Terry clutched his chest, his expression contorted. “You bastard! I wasn’t paying attention earlier! Come at me again! This time, I’m going to kill you! You think you’re good enough to steal my spot, you filthy mutt?”

He charged forward in three aggressive steps, aiming a direct strike at Zachary’s center. Zachary shifted back, dodging Terry’s blows with swift, precise palm strikes.

Terry’s eyes blazed with rage. In a sudden frenzy, he drew a dagger and lunged at Zachary’s chest.

Zachary roared, “Screw you!” He spun on his heel and slammed into Terry with the force of a charging bull.

Terry let out a blood-curdling scream, sent flying like a broken kite, blood spraying from his mouth. The dagger in his hand, however, flew loose with deadly force, driving straight into Zachary’s shoulder. Blood gushed instantly.

Two voices cried out simultaneously: “Terry!” and “Stop this!”

One was Calvin, panic-stricken and pale. The other was Alex, the man overseeing the trials, storming toward the center of the hall with a grim expression.

“You idiot! This is a formal evaluation, and weapons are strictly prohibited! Who told you to bring a dagger and pull a cheap shot? Get off the floor. You’re disqualified and permanently banned from becoming one of Mr. Thornton’s inner disciples!”

Calvin rushed to his bleeding son, shouting in desperation. “Mr. Wallace, please! You can’t do this! Terry is still young and reckless. I beg you, please give him another chance!”

Terry writhed on the ground, howling in pain, hatred twisting his face. “Kill him, Dad! Help me kill him! That filthy bastard dared to hurt me! I swear I’ll make him pay with his life!”

His unhinged outburst caused several onlookers to frown. The supposed heir to the Peck family was clearly spoiled beyond redemption. A loss was a loss, yet he was trying to kill someone over it. What kind of nonsense was that?

Still, with the Peck family’s power behind Calvin, most people, even if annoyed, remained silent.

Alex’s tone hardened. “Mr. Peck Senior, rules are rules! Even if he’s young, his lack of honor is unacceptable. He’s out.”

Calvin growled, “That’s unacceptable! Terry has to become one of Mr. Thornton’s inner disciples! I’ll pay more if I have to!”

Chapter 1826

Alex’s face remained impassive. “Mr. Peck Senior, this isn’t about money. It’s about upholding the rules set by Mr. Thornton.”

Calvin’s face darkened as he blurted out a number. “300 million. Is that enough? If not, I can offer more.”

At that moment, the other disciples were intensely engaged in their examinations. No one paid attention to the exchange between Calvin and Alex; everyone was focused on their own candidates.

Alex glanced around quickly, then leaned in, lowering his voice, visibly conflicted. “Um…”