Chapter 19: A Gathering of Individuals
Shortly after Walter arrived, William and Josephine followed. Josephine, frantic about Jared's possible injuries, rushed to him and examined him.
Felix, witnessing the arrival of such a diverse group—both prominent and infamous figures—felt helpless, blaming Leyton for the situation. Leyton, bewildered, pondered their presence. Tommy and Felix's underworld connections might explain their respect for Jared, a renowned fighter. But Walter, a retired but still highly respected Horington government official, was an enigma. His attendance at all of Walter's past events confirmed his standing; his presence here was unexpected.
Sandy, hiding behind Leyton, blurted out, "What's going on? Wasn't Jared dumped by Josephine? He moved out of Dragon Bay and became a salesperson! Why is she so worried?"
Josephine, enraged, slapped Sandy. Given the circumstances, neither Sandy nor Leyton retaliated.
"You bitch!" Josephine snarled. "Luckily you left Jared; you'd only bring him shame. It seems God is fair, pairing you two together."
Humiliated, Leyton and Sandy remained silent.
Tommy asked, pointing at Leyton and Sandy, "Mr. Chance, what should we do with them?"
Fear paralyzed Leyton and Sandy. They knew Jared held their lives in his hands.
Before Jared could respond, Yoel rushed forward, kneeling and pleading, "Mr. Chance, I beg for mercy! Please spare my son!"
The Scott family's power paled against the assembled Horington elite. Yoel's submission was unavoidable; their entire empire was vulnerable.
Leyton was stunned to see his father kneeling, especially with everyone watching. The sight of the Scott family patriarch bowing before Jared was shocking.
Yoel, pulling Leyton forward, slapped him. "You bastard! Beg for mercy too!"
Sandy, jaw agape, watched in disbelief.
Yoel then violently forced Sandy to her knees, shouting, "Hey, slut! This is your fault! Look what you've done! Kneel!"
Jared grinned at their pleas for mercy. "It's time to go," he said, and left, followed by Tommy, Walter, and their associates.
A humiliated Felix and his incapacitated subordinates followed suit, leaving Leyton, Yoel, and Sandy kneeling.
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