Chapter 90

“I’m your older brother! Are you out of your mind? Let go of me! What have you been up to?” Samuel chided furiously. “You were polite and nice when you first came home, but now you’re attacking people at will. How are you any different from a gangster?”

“Let go of Samuel, Skylar! My patience has limits. If you anger me again, I’ll disown you!” Kenny shouted. He intended to teach Skylar a lesson; he wouldn't tolerate her causing trouble for the Williams family.

Samuel’s face paled. “Where did you learn that grappling technique?” He had undergone training himself, but had delegated the more strenuous aspects. He recognized Skylar’s technique as a combat maneuver. He wondered if she had forgotten their familial relationship.

Skylar, seeing their fury, released her grip. “Remember what you’ve said. The Williams family has nothing to do with me.”

Samuel, clutching his reddened hand, yelled, “What triggered this? You were trying to please me earlier, weren't you? Are you pulling another trick now that you see I disapprove? No matter what you do, I’ll only acknowledge Maisy as my sister.”

“Samuel, that’s enough,” Kenny interjected sternly. “Skylar, come home with me. Mom and Dad need to talk to you.” Skylar always obeyed his stern gaze.

“Don’t you find it embarrassing that two men are accosting one woman? I've learned something about the Williams family's manners,” she retorted sarcastically.

Just then, a voice sounded from behind them. Skylar turned, surprised to see Paul. “Mr. Ziegler?”

Kenny and Samuel frowned, unfamiliar with Paul.

“I saw someone bothering you,” Paul said, glancing at a car across the road. “Are you alright?”

Skylar shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“You’re Mr. Ziegler? Good timing. Come to the Williams residence with us. We need to talk to my father about you and Skylar,” Kenny stated firmly. Samuel, suppressing his anger, sized Paul up.

Paul, hearing Kenny mention him and Skylar, was terrified. He had nothing to do with her; Joe was just across the street. He nearly fainted from fright.

He pursed his lips. “There’s a misunderstanding. Ms. Sullivan and I are merely friends. Is it fair to judge her so harshly?”

“Ms. Sullivan, we’re heading the same way. May I give you a ride?” Paul offered.

“Thank you, but I drove,” Skylar replied awkwardly, sensing that Jeffrey had misled Kenny and Samuel about Paul.

Paul saw a familiar new electric vehicle. “Okay. Ms. Sullivan, you go first.”

As Skylar reached for her car door, Kenny asked sternly, “Who bought you this car?” They hadn't given her money, and she hadn't worked since graduating. They suspected she'd lied about her relationship with Paul.

“Do you have nothing better to do? Are you not being too nosy?” Skylar responded coldly.

Kenny was taken aback. “What’s with that attitude?”

“Mr. Williams, mind your manners towards Ms. Sullivan!” Paul intervened, unable to tolerate Kenny's behavior any longer.