Chapter 5
1698 Words
Daniel thought back to the phone call from the day before and let out a cold snort.
"If he wants my help, he should show up himself. My medical skills don't come cheap." His tone was firm, his words carrying the weight of his unyielding principles.
Samuel froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard by Daniel's blunt response.
He hadn't expected him to be so inflexible, but he quickly composed himself, his expression smoothing over.
"Mr. Cooper, Mr. Scott is seriously ill and truly can't make the trip. I hope you'll understand and come with me."
Samuel's voice remained respectful, but there was a trace of urgency in his eyes, a silent plea that hinted at the gravity of the situation.
Daniel, however, crossed his arms and stood his ground, unmoved.
"I already said it—if he wants to see me, he needs to come in person." His voice was cold, leaving no room for negotiation.
Samuel's face tightened with frustration. "Mr. Cooper, you're putting me in a difficult position."
He said these words to make Daniel sympathize with him, hoping to sway him.
But Daniel only let out a mocking laugh. "How is that my problem?"
Samuel clenched his teeth. "Mr. Cooper, if you're willing to come with me, you can name your price." He clearly thought the offer would tempt Daniel, but he was wrong.
"Enough. Let me handle this," a deep, commanding voice interrupted them, and a man in his fifties stepped forward. His presence was sharp and intimidating, the kind of aura that came from years of hard-earned authority.
"Don't be so stubborn, young man," he said, his tone calm but menacing. "I'm Brian Jones, a big name in the underworld. Making someone like you disappear is child's play for me. I came here personally out of respect. I'm asking you to save the future heir of the Scott family."
Brian's piercing gaze fixed on Daniel as if trying to read him.
Daniel didn't flinch. He met Brian's stare with calm defiance. Ethan had mentioned this man yesterday. Brian was a powerful figure in the underworld.
"So, you're Mr. Jones?" Daniel asked in a steady voice, carrying neither fear nor reverence.
"Since you know who Mr. Jones is," Samuel cut in arrogantly, "you should be honored to be connected to the Scott family. A small-time doctor like you should know your place."
His smug expression made it clear he thought Daniel would submit to his threats.
Daniel said firmly, "So what? If you're asking for a favor, you should show me respect." He wasn't going to be intimidated by Brian's status.
Samuel's face darkened. "You'd better do as I say!" he snapped, his frustration evident.
Daniel chuckled, "Is that a threat? In that case, I won't help him."
His words were final, his stance unshakable.
Brian took a deep breath, clearly working to rein in his temper. "Fine, I was rude earlier. If you're willing to help, you can get whatever you want."
He was trying to bargain now to gain Daniel's help.
Daniel's lips curved into a faint, mocking smile. "I only want a reason. Why should I help?"
Without waiting for an answer, he shut the door in their faces, not in the mood to talk with them.
The sound of the door closing was final, cutting off any chance for further argument.
Brian's face darkened instantly. He had ruled the underworld for years, and no one had ever dared to disrespect him like this.
"Don't push it, punk!" Samuel shouted, his voice sharp with anger as he raised his fist to pound on the door.
Brian stopped him with a firm hand. "Don't act rashly." He knew losing his temper now would only make things worse.
Knocking on the door again, Brian kept his tone as steady as he could. "Mr. Cooper, the Scott family can be a strong ally to you. This partnership will only benefit you."
Inside, Daniel didn't even flinch. "I don't need empty promises."
Brian's frown deepened. "Mr. Cooper, if you're willing to help with the treatment, the Scott family will handle the Clark family for you."
When Daniel still didn't respond, Brian pressed on. "I know about your issues with the Clark family. The Scott family can make them apologize to you."
He thought he'd struck a nerve, but all he got in return was an icy bellow: "Get lost!"
Daniel didn't need their help. If he wanted revenge, he had plenty of ways to get it on his own.
Daniel's refusal made Brian's face grow even darker.
"Mr. Cooper, I suggest you do as I say. This is your only chance," Brian said, his voice laced with warning.
Inside, Daniel let out a cold laugh.
"Are you threatening me? Brian Jones, do you think I'm afraid of you?" His laughter was full of contempt.
Samuel, standing beside Brian, couldn't hold back his anger anymore. "Mr. Jones, why waste time talking with him? Let's just grab him and take him to Mr. Scott!"
Brian shot him a sharp glare. "Shut up!"
He knew brute force wasn't the answer here.
Turning back to the door, Brian said, "Mr. Cooper, I'll give you one last chance to think it over."
But the silence from the other side of the door was deafening.
Brian's expression darkened, his frustration growing. After a long pause, he gritted his teeth and snapped, "Let's go."
Samuel hesitated, glancing at the door, but eventually followed Brian away.
Inside the room, Daniel listened as their footsteps faded into the distance. His anger still burned hot.
"Clark family," he muttered to himself, "I'll make you pay for this."
His resolve hardened. Those who had hurt him would face the consequences.
Just then, another knock echoed through the room.
"Can't this just be over?" Daniel muttered, his frustration spilling over as he yanked the door open, only to freeze when he saw Grace standing there.
"Daniel!" she shouted, and before he could react, her hand struck his face.
Daniel didn't dodge. He could have, but he didn't want to. That slap shattered the last fragile hope he had been holding onto.
Once, he had clung to the faintest dream of warmth and understanding from this family. Now, that dream was gone.
"Daniel, you b*stard!" Grace yelled, her voice trembling with fury. "You crushed Ethan's fingers! How could you do this?" Grace's face was full of anger and disappointment.
Daniel stared at her coldly, his expression dark.
"So what? He broke into my house with his men and attacked me. That's outrageous!"
There was a trace of helplessness and anger in his tone.
Grace pointed at Daniel, her eyes blazing with fury. "You have no right to be so ruthless, you filthy scumbag! I told you from the start—I was against your marriage to Natalie. You're nothing but a worthless loser!"
Her words hit Daniel like sharp blades, slicing deep into his heart.
He let out a cold laugh. "He asked for it."
There was no point in explaining. To Grace, he would always be the villain.
"You ungrateful b*stard! Have you forgotten everything the Clark family did for you?" Grace's voice shook with anger. As a mother, her heart burned with pain for Ethan. Today, she was determined to stand up for him.
"What did you do?" Daniel's tone dripped with sarcasm. "You set me up to make me take the blame and then tossed me aside like garbage."
Those memories of the Clark family's so-called kindness were nothing more than lies, spun to use and discard him.
Grace faltered for a moment, then stubbornly shot back, "You agreed to it. You've got no one to blame but yourself."
Daniel laughed bitterly, "Fine. You're right—I agreed. And from now on, I have nothing to do with the Clark family."
The Clark family broke his heart. Whatever connection he once had with them was gone.
"Nothing to do with us, huh? Don't act like we're clinging to you. You've been a stain on the Clark family from the start!" Grace's words cut deep like daggers aimed straight at his heart.
Daniel's expression darkened. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "If that's how you feel, why are you here?"
He couldn't understand why the Clark family kept coming back to him if they despised him so much.
Grace crossed her arms, her posture dripping with arrogance. "I'm here to remind you what happens when you cross the Clark family. Did you think you could just walk away?"
Daniel stepped closer, his gaze locking onto hers. "Then do it. I'm not afraid."
His eyes were filled with unwavering resolve.
Grace blinked, momentarily thrown off by his confidence, but she quickly recovered, sneering. "Don't act so tough. You'll be begging for mercy soon enough!"
"Begging for mercy?" Daniel scoffed. "The only ones doing that will be the Clark family."
Daniel stood his ground, fully prepared to confront the Clark family to the very end.
"F*ck you, b*stard!" Grace's face twisted with rage as she raised her hand to slap him.
Smack!
But it wasn't Daniel who took the hit. Instead, his hand struck her face with a loud slap.
"Ouch!"
Grace stumbled back, falling to the ground with a cry of shock. A bright red handprint bloomed on her cheek.
She stared up at him in disbelief, her eyes wide. "How... How dare you hit me?"
Daniel stood over her, his gaze cold and unflinching.
"You brought this on yourself. I've put up with you long enough. Don't think you can push me around like you used to." His voice was as cold as a winter storm.
Grace sat on the floor, clutching her face, her wails turning into a stream of curses. "Daniel, you son of a b*tch! You'll pay for this!"
"Seriously?" Daniel's expression was unreadable. "If anyone is to pay the price, it's the Clarks."
Daniel adjusted his collar. What he'd done was just a warning. He wasn't finished yet. He would make the Clark family pay. He'd drag them down into despair and make them regret everything they'd done.
One day, he would make Natalie, Grace, and Ethan beg him for forgiveness.
- Writer
