Chapter 16: The Wedding Is Canceled
Instantaneously, stunned silence fell over the crowd. No one in Horington dared defy Tommy's orders; yet, that day, the seemingly ordinary Jared showed him no respect.
Tommy's expression turned frigid, his eyes blazing with fury.
Leyton, to the side, barely suppressed a triumphant laugh, inwardly chanting, Kill him! Finish him!
"Mr. Chance, p-please apologize to Mr. Lewis!" Josephine tugged frantically at Jared's sleeve, cold sweat slicking her skin.
"How dare you defy Mr. Lewis, boy? You're asking for death!" one of Tommy's thugs roared, lunging at Jared with a fist.
"Mr. Lewis, I apologize on behalf of Mr. Chance!" William panicked, seeing the impending attack. He dared not order his own security guards to intervene; his dozens were no match for Tommy's several hundred. Even risking his life, the outcome would be the same—only dragging the Sullivan family into the conflict.
Tommy remained silent, neither accepting the apology nor halting his lackey.
The thug was tall and powerfully built, a head taller than Jared and rippling with muscle. One blow could cripple, if not kill, Jared.
Leyton and Sandy sneered at Jared. Warrick and Juliette, particularly Warrick, who still smarted from an earlier slap, eagerly anticipated his humiliation and injury.
But as the thug's fist neared Jared's face, Jared caught it. Despite the man's strength, his hand remained immovable.
The sight stunned everyone. Even Tommy stared, scrutinizing Jared.
A heart-stopping realization dawned on him as he noticed the bronze ring on Jared's finger, its dragon carving unmistakable.
The Dragon Ring! The Dragon Ring! The wearer was the Dragon Sect's overlord!
He froze, then bellowed, "Get back! Who told you to attack?!" He sent the thug flying with a single kick.
"My apologies, Mr. Chance!" Tommy hastily apologized to Jared.
He never imagined the Dragon Sect's overlord would grace insignificant Horington. The Dragon Sect, the world's most mysterious organization, could shake the globe with a mere whim.
Tommy's Templar Regiment, in fact, was under the Dragon Sect's command. Thirteen regiments served the Sect in Chanaea; the Templars were just one, operating independently and anonymously until summoned.
Therefore, he could only address Jared formally.
Everyone watched Tommy's sudden change of demeanor with bewilderment. Even Jared was taken aback.
"Do I still need to apologize?" he asked tentatively, eyes fixed on Tommy.
"No, of course not! How could I dare ask that, Mr. Chance? Please, command me!" Terror-stricken, Tommy shook his head. Never would I dare ask the Dragon Sect's overlord to apologize!
"I said they won't be getting married if I'm here," Jared said calmly.
Tommy nodded, then loudly announced, "The wedding is canceled! Disperse!"
"Mr. Lewis…" Yoel stared, dumbfounded.
If the wedding is canceled, the Scott family will be Horington's laughingstock!
(Note: I have removed the website promotion.)