Apocalypse—Bonds of Abundance

Chapter 004: The Slap

For a moment, the entire street seemed to fall silent.

Snow drifted slowly through the cold night's air as Dora stared at the young man standing beside the car.

"Williams..." she repeated, her voice trembling slightly. "Oh no. This can't be."

The surrounding neighbours who were also outside gathered closer, whispering among themselves.

"So it's him?"

"Of course! That's Amante's adopted son."

"Oh, it all makes sense now."

Mr. Coleman chuckled with realization. "Well now! No wonder such a wealthy man bought the mansion right next to the door of the Amantes. Family ties remain family ties after all!"

Several others nodded enthusiastically.

"That's right. Even the wealthy don't forget their roots."

"He surely came back to take care of the Amantes."

One elderly neighbor turned to Dora with a smile.

"You must be very proud, Dora Amante! Your son has returned incredibly successful."

Another chimed in. "Well, why are you just standing there? Go welcome him already!"

"Yes! Your boy has come home."

The words kept echoing around her like some invisible pressure.

Dora could only force a little smile. But inside her mind kept spinning wildly.

How did this useless boy suddenly become rich overnight? Rich enough to buy a twenty-million dollar mansion?

Just hours earlier he had been standing in her living room like one begging for crumbs of bread. Now he stood under thick floodlights like a king returning to his territory.

Her heartbeat grew really uneven.

"Mom...calm down."

She glanced beside her to Frederick who had leaned closer. He smirked faintly.

"Just think about it. Williams has spent all his miserable life trying to please this family. He's always been obedient."

He lowered his voice further. "He probably just lost his temper earlier and said some crazy things."

Dora's brows slowly relaxed as Frederick continued.

"If he really hated us, why would he buy the house next door?"

His lips curled. "A young man who just got rich could live anywhere in the city but here."

Vera crossed her arms with a sneer.

"Frederick is right," she said, rolling her eyes dismissively. "Money doesn't change people that much. Williams is still the same dumbass Williams, and a dog raised by a family will always return to its master."

Fredrick chuckled, and Isaac nodded approvingly.

Dora slowly inhaled. They had to be right.

Williams must have simply gotten lucky somehow, and after gaining it all, the first place he came was till their side.

This meant that deep down, he still wanted their approval.

Her confidence gradually returned, and the anxious look on her face disappeared.

Everyone watched as she straightened her coat and walked forward with graceful composure.

When she reached him, she wore a warm, maternal smile.

"My dear William..."

Her voice softened. "I see you've done quite well for yourself."

She sighed slightly as if completely overwhelmed with pride. "I must say... I'm truly proud of what you've become."

The neighbours nodded approvingly.

"Wow. What a touching reunion."

"A mother's love is always the strongest indeed."

Dora stepped closer and gently opened her arms for a hug. "Come here, my loving son. I should congratulate you properly."

For a split second, Williams remained calm. It was almost too calm.

Then, the sound of the slap Dora received echoed sharply across the entire street.

Dora's body froze, and her head snapped violently to the side as the force of the slap sent her staggering two steps back.

Gaps erupted everywhere, and the neighbours stared with wide eyes.

Dora lifted a trembling hand to her burning cheek, a bright red handprint already forming on her skin.

"W–Williams...?" she stammered as hot tears formed in her eyes.

For a moment, no one moved.

Then Fredrick exploded.

"You freaking bastard!"

He stormed forward with fury burning across his face. "How dare you hit our mother?!"

His voice rang across the silent neighborhood. "Have you forgotten who raised you since childhood?! You ungrateful piece of trash!"

Frederick pointed angrily at him. "Damn it! You were always my role model growing up! And now you treat her like this?! You–"

The second slap came faster and heavier than the first.

Frederick's head snapped sideways as his entire body stumbled backward. The impact left him dizzy.

Williams slowly lowered his hand.

"How dare you lecture me?" he asked in a cold, calm, and almost indifferent voice.

Frederick clutched his still burning cheek, eyes wide with rage and humiliation.

Williams took a step forward just then, his gaze piercing directly into Frederick's eyes.

"You..." His voice dropped slightly. "...the one who stole his brother's lover. You dare talk to me about gratitude?"

A ripple of shock spread through the gathered neighbours.

"What?!"

"Stole his lover?"

The small crowd erupted into whispers. Frederick's face instantly turned pale, just like Dora's.

Across the street, Vera's confidence vanished as Williams glanced at her. He also shot a glance at Isaac who was rooted at a spot like the coward that he was.

For the first time that evening, the calm mask on Williams' face cracked slightly to a faint, chilling smile.