Chapter 15: Dark Vengeance
1055 Words
Wolves howled like knives through the wilderness of North River City.
Yet their cries paled against the Venerable Master's soul-shattering screams.
Victor Knight looked to Alexander Reed.
"Master!"
Alexander closed his eyes, murderous intent radiating from between his brows!
His fists clenched so tightly that the sheer concentration of power caused the space around them to c***k and splinter!
"The Hale family! William Hale!"
He had no doubt about the Venerable Master's words!
Years ago, the Hale family had opposed his marriage to Sophie Hale, with William Hale being the strongest objector!
He had long planned to use Sophie for a more advantageous marriage alliance, one that would bring greater benefits to the Hale family!
If Sophie hadn't insisted on leaving the Hale family to elope with him, William Hale would have surely sold her off long ago!
Harboring such hatred, William Hale had thrown his newborn granddaughter into the trash - that alone couldn't have satisfied his vengeance.
Seeking out the Venerable Master was clearly part of his plan!
The wind picked up as the old master's voice grew weaker, Victor's torture having nearly claimed his life.
Alexander snapped back to the present and approached the old master. Victor immediately released him, letting him collapse weakly before Alexander.
Alexander extended his right index finger and pressed it to the old master's forehead.
The Venerable Master closed his eyes in relief, but then felt a sensation like warm spring breeze!
Suddenly, all his injuries were healed!
"What?"
Confusion flashed in the old master's eyes.
"What... what do you mean by this?"
Alexander placed a finger to his lips.
"Shh! Save your strength, because... you need to last the whole night!"
With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and turned away, vanishing into the darkness.
The Venerable Master's confusion deepened, and at that moment, with a gentle breeze, he felt an involuntary shudder!
Behind him, hands descended onto his shoulders.
He glanced back to find his remaining disciples had surrounded him.
Their eyes glowed an eerie green tinged with blood-red, filling him with inexplicable terror!
"What... what are you doing? Stand back, I am your master! Anyone who dares disobey, I'll kill them!"
But they moved like possessed beings, drooling, lunging forward maniacally!
"Master! Heh heh heh..."
"NO—! Stay back! You beasts, have you lost your minds? I am the Venerable Master! You dare commit such sacrilege?"
"NOOO——!"
Heart-rending screams once again echoed through the wild mountains!
But this time was different - Alexander had infused the Venerable Master with just enough energy to keep him alive.
Throughout this night, his consciousness would remain perfectly clear!
In his agony and rage, the Venerable Master opened his blood-red eyes and roared at the heavens.
"William Hale! You beast! You've destroyed me!"
Far away in the capital, in a luxurious mansion, a figure suddenly jolted awake!
"Don't kill me——!"
The cry woke the person beside him.
"Darling, what's wrong? A nightmare?"
"I don't know why, but for the past two days, I keep seeing that brat Alexander Reed's face in my dreams!"
"Alexander Reed? The one whose limbs were broken and was thrown in the river by the Mitchell family?"
"Yes! These past two days I keep dreaming that he's coming for revenge!"
"Darling, what are you afraid of? Our Hale family has vast resources. If he really dares come, we'll just have him dealt with!"
"You're right! That dog Reed doesn't know his place! Back then, if he hadn't seduced Sophie, she would've already been married into a powerful family in the capital, and our Hale family's influence would have grown even stronger!"
"Enough, darling, don't think too much about it! Sophie is now just damaged goods, even third-rate families wouldn't want her."
"Hmph! That worthless woman really dragged down our Hale family's noble status! Back then, I should have killed that child right in front of her, let her die from grief rather than having her half-alive presence sullying our home!"
"Well, didn't you send someone to take care of that child? Sophie's just an empty shell now, she won't last much longer! Go to sleep, it's getting late!"
"Mm!"
...
Back in North River City, Alexander arrived at his villa.
Laughter drifted from next door.
Through the window, he could dimly see Emily Snow playing happily with his daughter!
The scene gave Alexander a moment's pause.
If not for that year, would Lyra be playing just as joyfully with her own mother now?
After watching for a moment, Alexander went to Emily's door and knocked.
Emily immediately ran to open it, her beautiful eyes lighting up when she saw him.
"You're back! The child woke up, I made her some food and we've been playing!"
Alexander nodded.
"I saw. Thank you."
"No need for thanks. Lyra is adorable, I really like her! Lyra, come say hello to daddy!"
Lyra scampered over like a wisp of smoke, her childish voice calling out:
"Daddy!"
Alexander's body trembled, that single word piercing straight to his heart!
"You can speak?"
Emily explained:
"She hadn't learned language before, but she can speak. I've taught her many words."
"Thank you!"
Alexander embraced his daughter, sincerely thanking Emily again.
"I, Alexander Reed, don't owe many people in this life, but you are one. In the future, if you ever have any troubles, you can tell me. I will help you resolve them."
Emily blushed.
"Why so formal? I just watched her for a little while!"
She didn't know Lyra's past, so she couldn't understand how important the joy and growth she'd brought to Lyra truly was.
Alexander shook his head.
"When I, Alexander Reed, make a promise, I keep it."
Emily shrugged.
"Alright then, if you insist!"
She patted Lyra's head, smiling brightly:
"Little Lyra, it's late now. Your daddy's home, you should go sleep with him!"
Lyra pouted.
"Auntie, daddy, Lyra, sleep together!"
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Emily's face flushed red, while Alexander coughed lightly.
"Lyra, Auntie Emily has to work tomorrow, she can't sleep with us!"
Lyra's face crumpled, her big eyes filling with tears.
"Lyra, be good. Don't cry."
Alexander couldn't help but feel a bit helpless.
"How about another time? I just found you today, can you stay just with daddy tonight?"
Hearing this, Lyra reluctantly nodded!
- Writer
