Yona's sobs echoed through the dining room as she maintained her protective stance in front of Keith, her small frame trembling with desperation and fear."Please, Father, I'm begging you!" Yona cried, her voice breaking with emotion. "Keith saved your life! How can you repay his kindness with violence?"Edward's face contorted with rage as he glared at his youngest daughter. "Yona, if you don't stop this pathetic display right now, I'll order these men to beat you senseless along with your precious Keith!""You wouldn't dare hurt your own daughter!" Yona gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief."Try me!" Edward snarled, his patience completely exhausted. "I am the patriarch of this family, and I will not tolerate insubordination from anyone - not even my own blood!"Emilia stepped forward with a cruel smile. "Yona, you always were the weak link in this family. Stop embarrassing yourself and get out of the way!""I won't move!" Yona declared through her tears. "If you want to hurt Keith,

Edward's hands trembled with vindictive excitement as he grabbed his phone and dialed the military base with deliberate precision. His finger hovered over the speaker button before pressing it, ensuring everyone in the room could hear his moment of triumph."Fort Richardson Military Base, Sergeant Williams speaking," came the crisp, professional voice through the speaker."Sergeant Williams, this is Edward Richardson," Edward announced with self-important authority. "I need to report a serious criminal incident at my residence. There's an armed individual on my property who has illegally discharged a firearm and wounded multiple people.""Sir, are you currently in immediate danger?" the sergeant asked with evident concern."The situation is contained for now," Edward replied smugly, his eyes never leaving Keith's impassive face. "But this criminal is still armed and extremely dangerous. He's already shot two men in the legs and threatened my family."Keith remained perfectly still, hi

The heavy knock on the front door echoed through the mansion like a death knell. Edward straightened his shoulders and smoothed his expensive suit, preparing to play the role of innocent victim to perfection."That's them!" Edward announced triumphantly, striding toward the entrance with renewed confidence. "Time to face justice, Keith. I hope you're ready to spend the next twenty years behind bars."Emilia practically vibrated with excitement as she followed her father. "Finally! Keith, you're about to learn what happens when you mess with the Richardson family!"The front door swung open to reveal two stern-faced soldiers in full military dress uniforms. Their presence commanded immediate respect, and even the wounded thugs on the floor fell silent."Good evening," the lead soldier announced, his voice crisp and authoritative. "I'm Lieutenant Colonel Harrison, and this is Major Stevens. We received a report about an armed individual on these premises."Edward stepped forward eagerly

Keith's footsteps echoed through the empty mansion as he made his way toward the kitchen, his concern for Linda's whereabouts growing with each passing moment. The silence felt oppressive, completely unlike the usual bustling activity that filled his home."Linda must have stepped out," Keith muttered to himself, though unease gnawed at his gut. "She always leaves a note when she goes anywhere."As he passed the large bay window overlooking the front grounds, a flash of movement caught his peripheral vision. Keith stopped and peered through the glass, his enhanced senses immediately detecting something amiss in the shadows across the street.A dark van sat parked under the cover of overhanging trees, its engine idling quietly. The vehicle's tinted windows made it impossible to see inside, but Keith's instincts screamed danger.Suddenly, the van's side door slid open with a metallic screech, and Keith's blood ran cold. Two burly men in black clothing were roughly shoving someone into t

The van driver's knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel, his eyes darting between the road ahead and the persistent headlights in his rearview mirror."This guy just won't quit!" the driver snarled, swerving violently between slower-moving vehicles. "What kind of maniac drives like this?""Lose him!" the scarred kidnapper barked from the back seat. "Take the next exit and floor it!"Keith's car maintained its relentless pursuit, matching every desperate maneuver the van made. His military training had prepared him for high-speed chases far more dangerous than this amateur hour display."He's still on us!" the second kidnapper reported, panic creeping into his voice. "This guy's a professional driver or something!"Linda watched through the rear window as Keith's headlights grew closer, her heart swelling with hope and terror in equal measure."I told you," she said defiantly. "Keith isn't someone you can just shake off. He'll follow you to the ends of the earth if he h