Chapter 25: Asking for Help

Glen returned home, looking pale and wretched.

"What happened, Glen? You don't look well," Helen remarked with concern.

"Stop asking questions! Keep a close eye on Frederick. He's not allowed to leave the house. If he causes more trouble for Jared, I'll break his legs!" he snapped, waving dismissively. He didn't know how to explain.

He stormed into the bedroom and lay fuming.

Stunned, Helen quickly recovered and hurried upstairs. She had to remind Frederick not to leave the house; otherwise, Glen would carry out his threat.

Frederick was in his room, talking on the phone. He was furious that Jared had dared to tell tales after breaking his wrist.

"Why the sudden call? This is unlike you" the other person said, amused.

"Stop being funny, Tyrion Whitaker. We need to team up and vanquish our enemy!" Frederick replied angrily.

"What do you mean?" Tyrion asked.

"Josephine has a new boyfriend! And he's an ex-convict! That's infuriating!" Frederick growled.

"What?" Tyrion demanded. "She's with an ex-convict? Has she lost her mind? How could she choose him over us? But who in Horington would dare steal your woman? Why don't you get someone to beat him up?"

"Don't even suggest it. That jerk is skilled in martial arts—he broke my wrist! Besides, Father's so overprotective, he's confined me to the house and won't let me seek revenge. That's why I'm calling you," Frederick explained.

Tyrion guffawed. "You, the great Frederick Lowe, want my help? We're rivals. Why should I help you? Have you forgotten how you used your father's position to lord it over me?"

"You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Help me deal with him, and you can have Josephine. And that new branch your family is considering in Horington? I'll make it happen."

Frederick's eyes glinted coldly. I won't let this slide. Without revenge, I'll never rest!

"Are you serious?" Tyrion asked eagerly.

"Of course. Record this conversation," Frederick said nonchalantly.

"Deal. Send me details on the jerk. I'll teach him a lesson!" Tyrion vowed before hanging up.

Tyrion was the eldest Whitaker son, and a schoolmate of Josephine and Frederick. In school, both he and Frederick had liked Josephine, but she wasn't interested in either playboy.

After graduation, Frederick, living in the same city, pursued Josephine relentlessly. While Tyrion visited Horington a few times, he was no match for the mayor's son and was constantly thwarted.

Frederick sought Tyrion's help because his father's influence didn't extend to Summerbank. If someone from Horington harmed Jared, Glen would find out immediately. But someone from Summerbank would be different.

Tyrion, a military veteran, was skilled in combat, making dealing with Jared relatively easy.

As the call ended, Helen opened Frederick's bedroom door.

"Does your hand still hurt?" she asked worriedly, pained by the sight of his bandaged wrist.

Frederick turned away. "It's none of your business. Leave me alone. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm even your son. Someone broke my wrist, and my parents want to apologize! It's maddening!"

The extraneous sentence about a website has been removed. The narrative has been tightened and improved for clarity and flow. Sentence structures have been varied to avoid monotony.