The Strong-Willed Sean O'Connor

CHAPTER 5

Julian’s head snapped to the side, blood spraying from his nose. He groaned, but Sean didn’t stop.

Another punch—this time to the gut.

Julian doubled over, wheezing.

Sean yanked him upright and landed a blow to his ribs. The sound of knuckles against bone was sickeningly sharp.

“Sean, stop it!” Eleanor rushed forward, trying to pull him off. “You’re going to kill him!”

Sean shoved her away without even looking. “You should’ve raised him better.”

Lillian screamed and grabbed his arm. “You’ve lost your mind!”

Sean turned on her, eyes blazing. She flinched and stumbled back.

Julian tried to crawl away, but Sean grabbed the back of his shirt and hauled him up again, fists clenched.

“You laughed. You watched her throw it. You thought it was funny.”

He punched him again. And again.

Julian’s lip split. His eyes began to swell. He choked out a sob, trying to shield his face.

Eleanor grabbed Sean’s arm again, shrieking. “That’s enough! You’re a maniac!”

Still, Sean didn’t stop—until Eleanor called security on him.

The guards rushed in, grabbing Sean and trying to pull him away from Julian.

Sean suddenly froze, startling them into letting go.

The courtyard fell silent except for Julian’s groans and the gentle splash of koi in the pond.

Sean finally let go, dropping Julian to the ground like a discarded doll. He didn’t look back.

His voice was low but steel-sharp. “None of you is worth that ring. But I’ll still get it back.”

Julian lay barely conscious, blood dripping from his nose and mouth. Eleanor knelt beside him, crying and shouting his name. Lillian stood frozen, pale and shaken, no longer smug.

Sean didn’t spare them another glance.

He turned toward the koi pond.

The water was calm again, as if nothing had happened. But Sean’s eyes scanned the surface, sharp and searching for a glint of gold.

The koi swam lazily, oblivious. Their bright colors flashed in the soft light, but there was no sign of the heirloom.

His heart pounded as he knelt at the edge of the pond, fingers brushing the cool surface. He peered into the depths, willing the ring to appear.

Nothing.

“Where is it?” he muttered, frustration bubbling up.

“Serves you right!” Lillian yelled with a grin. “You think you can take your ring after beating up Julian? That’s not going to happen!”

Sean’s head snapped in her direction. She immediately flinched.

At that moment, Eleanor stood up, fury radiating from her. She wiped her tears and glared at Sean with venom.

“Security!” she shouted. “Grab him! Take him away! He’s gone mad—he beat my son to a pulp!”

The guards hesitated, glancing at one another.

Eleanor’s voice was icy. “Take him away. If he resists, beat him too!”

The guards started toward Sean, but before they could reach him, several sleek black cars pulled into the driveway.

Engines hummed, slicing through the tension.

The door of the lead car opened, and a tall figure stepped out. The moment he stood, a shadow loomed over the courtyard, and the guards froze.

Sean’s eyes flicked to the newcomer, narrowing with recognition. He straightened, eyes unwavering.

It was Victor Stroud—the very man sent to pick Sean up. Victor’s presence was commanding, and the atmosphere shifted the instant he stepped onto the property.

Lillian’s eyes widened. Eleanor’s mouth dropped open.

They all knew Victor Stroud.

“Mr. Stroud?” Eleanor’s voice trembled with surprise and anxiety. She forced a polite smile. “What are you doing here?”

Victor didn’t answer right away. He surveyed the scene—bloodied Julian, the guards, then finally Sean beside the pond, fists still clenched.

“Mr. O’Connor,” Victor said, ignoring the others as he walked toward Sean.

He offered him a hand. “Are you okay?”

Sean’s expression softened slightly. “Who are you?”

“Apologies for not introducing myself earlier. I’m Victor Stroud. Mr. Calloway sent me to pick you up.”

The Springfields, including the guards, were stunned.

“I may not know much about high society,” one whispered, “but who doesn’t know the Strouds?”

“And he’s here for Sean?” another murmured.

Victor Stroud wasn’t just anyone—he was a powerful man, known for his influence in both business and politics. Someone not to be trifled with.

“Oh, it’s time already?” Sean asked.

Victor nodded.

“Let’s go, then.” Sean rose and walked past him.

“Is there anything you’d like my men to handle?” Victor asked, knowing Sean might need assistance.

Sean paused. “If they’re fine with draining a pond to retrieve a ring, then… yes.”

“Just say the word, Mr. O’Connor. My men follow your orders.”

“Fine. Drain the pond. Get the ring.”

Victor clasped his hands together. “Please wait in the car. We’ll take care of it.”

Exhausted, Sean got into the car and shut the door.

A few minutes later, the door opened and Victor joined him in the driver’s seat.

“We got the ring, Mr. O’Connor,” Victor said, handing it over.

Sean took it with a sigh of relief. He’d thought he’d lost his mother’s precious heirloom. “Thanks for the help.”

“It’s what we’re here for.”

The engine roared to life, and the car pulled out of the compound.

Just as they were leaving, another vehicle entered. It came to a halt, and Rosalind and Chloe stepped out.

Rosalind glanced at the car that was leaving, confusion on her face.

“Whose car was that?” she asked—but then paused.

The scene before her made her eyes widen in shock.

Water flooded the courtyard, koi flopped helplessly on the ground, and Julian looked like he’d just walked through a war. Blood covered his face.

“What the heck happened here?!”

Seeing her daughter, Eleanor immediately rushed to her. “Look at the mess that happened. Julian has been beaten so much that I can’t even see his appearance anymore!”

Rosalind’s eyes fell on Julian, who was still being held by one of the guards.

His face was swollen beyond recognition—eyes puffy, lips cracked, dried blood covering his chin and shirt.

Her mouth fell open. “What… who did this to him?”

“It’s that bastard Sean!” Eleanor snapped, her voice filled with venom. “Your hus–ex husband nearly killed my son and walked away like nothing happened!”

Rosalind’s head turned sharply toward the empty driveway. “Sean did this?”

“Yes! And then that Victor Stroud came and just took him away! Like Sean was some kind of prince or something!” Eleanor trembled with fury. “He beat Julian half to death, and no one stopped him because of that Stroud man.”

Chloe looked stunned. “Wait… Victor Stroud? From Calloway Enterprises?”