“Have you forgotten how clingy you were growing up? Have you forgotten how much you would beg to stay by my side? Even a kick could not keep you away and you suddenly think you can cut ties with me? Who are you fooling?”“A mother has to be dutiful for the son to be filial. Since it is obvious that you will never treat me, your son, half as good as Daniel, who is only your stepson, there is no point in having a mother like you.” His voice rang clear despite the humiliating position he was forced into.Patricia's face darkened and she stepped forward to slap him again. Then she suddenly stopped, looking at her hand as she said, “Slapping you myself is giving you too much importance.”Then she pointed at one of the maids. “You, slap him!”The maid was shocked. Her face paled as she looked at Adrian's piercing gaze that held true even in his position. She stammered as she looked back at Patricia, “Ma’am, please do not let me…”“You are fired,” Patricia said off-handedly before turning

Richard's brow gathered clouds even more. Didn't he know that?But did he have any choice?The reminder of his powerlessness made his voice harsher as he said, “You are questioning my decision now?”Patricia grew even more flustered as she automatically took a step back, stammering, “Honey, no. You know I will never…”“I made the decision and that is final. If Daniel has a problem with it, he should come to me. Since when did I need you to speak on my son's behalf?”“Honey, I just…”There it was. The condescending way that Richard treated Patricia most times that made Adrian naively believe that it was his duty to stay

Beagle was startled by the sudden noise.In his panic, he hopped towards the door, shivering.The wheels supporting his damaged back legs added to his distress as the sharp sound of heels coming through the door made him turn back again.His rheumy good eye shot to Adrian while his blind eye twitched nervously.Angry at whoever made that sudden noise in an area where signs clearly showed that distressed animals were kept, Adrian tried to salvage the situation.Still on his knees, he patted his thigh gently, calling Beagle.“Beagle, here. You are okay. You are safe…”“Heavens, I was wondering where that wretched