CHAPTER 428: PARTY TIME VII

"I ask again, Kael... did you come with proof?" Ewan demanded, his voice caustic, ignoring Kael’s question as he bit down on the anger simmering at the surface.

His jaw flexed, nostrils flaring. How dare this idiot come here? How dare he come and terrify his family, their guests?

Who did he think he was? Has he forgotten the terror that came with Wolfsbane? Or was Kael thinking that that side of him was gone with the affairs that came with the corporate world?

Kael barked a laugh in response to Ewan’s question, a mocking laugh, looking at his men who carried their guns on their shoulders, and then at the entire hall riddled with bullets.

All the guests were safe, but they shook like leaves, pressed into corners, their eyes wide with fear.

"No. But that’s why—"

Before Kael could complete the statement, Ewan’s fist shot out like lightning. He threw a hard punch straight at Kael’s mouth. The crack echoed across the hall stopping everyone short, every thought short.

Kael staggered back, blood smearing the corner of his lip, shock flashing in his eyes.

The crowd gasped. Even Kael’s men froze in disbelief.

Before they could even think of shooting Ewan, of retaliating, he already had their leader in a chokehold, his arm tight against Kael’s throat.

Kael’s eyes bulged, hands clawing at Ewan’s grip, yet his finger gesture stopped his men from shooting. His lips twisted in pain.

"I told you to come with proof..." Ewan smiled, but it wasn’t warmth—it was coldness, contempt. His eyes gleamed with a darkness that made the guests around shiver even more, slithering deeper into their spots.

"Now, my friend, you will pay for this. Every drop of this disobedience will be accounted for. You wanted war? Congratulations—you have it."

Then he shoved Kael away, pushing him hard. The gang leader fell ungracefully onto the floor, coughing, but got up just as fast, dusting invisible particles off his white shirt and shorts, his pride bleeding as much as his lip.

"You should be grateful to me, Ewan. If not, you would have a hard time explaining the death of more than a hundred guests." His tone was laced with venom as he straightened, trying to regain composure.

Another pause, more dusting off. "It’s not too late though, to carry out the massacre. We just want the doctor. The good old doctor... or we leave with her kids."

"My kids, you mean..."

Kael had the grace to look nervous when Ewan stepped toward him again, slow, deliberate, like a predator stalking prey.

He was older than Ewan, yes, but somehow the younger man always had a way of being in charge, even in situations like this. He could never understand it—just as he had never understood why their boss had handed the gang over to Ewan at such a young age.

Well, that was in the past.

He squared his shoulders, jaw tight, meeting Ewan’s piercing gaze.

"Then let me have your ex-wife. I heard—"

Ewan’s hand shot out fast again, striking him right at the solar plexus. Kael’s eyes bulged yet again, a strangled cry tearing from his throat. He collapsed in a heap on the floor before he could even finish his sentence.

His men immediately pointed their guns at Ewan’s head, tense, but Ewan didn’t flinch. Instead, he bent down slowly, deliberately, to look the gasping fellow in the eye.

"You will take your men out of here, without Doctor Athena, and await your reward for this mess you have caused. I don’t care who your sponsor is, but you should have known better than to come here..."

A pause, his lips curling into a sharp grin. "Do you think me weak, Kael? That being in business has sucked out my training?"

Kael couldn’t speak, his breath ragged, his body shaking as he tried to drag in air. But inside, curses and threats reeled, raging against the image of Ewan towering over him.

"Do you have something to say?" Ewan mocked softly, noting the man’s mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

Just then, the entrance darkened. Ewan straightened, his eyes flicking up, not surprised to see Athena stepping in with Old Mr. Thorne.

The men of Kael immediately raised their guns at her, movements sharp and jittery.

"Don’t bother," Ewan muttered coldly, rising to his feet. His eyes swept the men, daring anyone to test him. "Unless you want to answer to your boss and me at the same time."

The criminals exchanged uneasy glances. They hadn’t seen someone talk to their boss this way—destabilize him this way. Whoever this man was, he was dangerous, important.

Still, they looked to their boss for their next commands. But Kael was still gasping for air, struggling, sweat running down his forehead. The sight amused Ewan.

"It seems you disposed of the old members when you came to power, eh Kael..." Ewan taunted.

A wheeze escaped from Kael’s lips, almost a snort.

"I think you should take your boss out of here before he gives up the ghost. I’m sure it’s been a long while since he’s been brought to submission." He scoffed, folding his arms across his chest, watching as three men rushed forward to lift their leader.

"However, I will have to take permission from your father before doing anything..."

That was enough to draw Kael up short. He shook himself free from his men, staggering, his chest heaving as he tried to take in deep breaths.

"My old man is dead. You brought back his body."

Ewan laughed, shaking his head slowly, his voice mocking. "You know, I can see why he didn’t hand over the business to you at first. You are just gullible. Now, get out of here, and await his judgment."

For the first time, fear clouded Kael’s strong face. His lips trembled. "That’s not possible. It can’t be..."

"Take the fake-ass leader out of here," Sandro spoke, stepping forward to stand beside Ewan. His expression was grim, his hand brushing against his sidearm as his eyes flicked to the retreating gang.

When the hall had suddenly been invaded by flying bullets, his hands had been tied, protecting the guests. He had only managed to send a message to his friend. He wondered now what had taken Ewan so long to come.

This time, the men didn’t hesitate. They hauled their leader toward the door. Kael didn’t fight them—still reeling with Ewan’s confession, still docile.

"Is what you say true? Is the old boss still alive?" Sandro muttered under his breath, darting a quick glance at his friend.

Ewan only gave a curt nod, his lips tight.

Sandro knew immediately his friend had been sworn to some kind of secrecy. But one thing was sure—Kael’s act had given Ewan the grounds he had been waiting for, the opening to deal with the gang once and for all.

But just when everyone was about to release sighs of relief at disaster averted, Kael stopped at the door.

He turned slowly, his gaze first finding Athena—who was still trying to understand what had just happened, how Ewan had managed the crisis so perfectly—and then toward Ewan.

"If you are so intelligent, like my father claimed you are, then you shouldn’t have let this party happen. Our presence here was only a distraction."

And then he limped out, leaving Ewan’s mind in disarray once again.