Martin's ears were ringing, and a trickle of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"You're dead to me—you hear that? From now on, you're no longer our son. Get out—just get out!" Ansel was livid, his voice
reaching a fever pitch, "Get out!"
Florence closed her eyes, her heart breaking, tears streaming down her face.
Diana watched the scene unfold in disbelief. Had her brother lost his mind? Was he really cutting ties with his family for Serena?
What was he thinking?
Martin bowed deeply toward Ansel, his forehead touching the ground three times in a traditional sign of respect, but Ansel wasn't
having it. He lashed out, kicking Martin's shoulder and bellowed, "I said get out!"
"Dad, don't get yourself worked up," Diana, noticing her father's rage seemed like a towering mountain about to crumble, quickly
stepped forward to support him and glanced at her brother. "Martin, are you really willing to cut off Mom and Dad for Serena? Did
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtthey mean nothing raising you all these years?"
Martin slowly got to his feet, bowed to the three of them, and turned to leave the hospital room.
"Martin?"
Diana hadn't expected him to be so resolute. Ansel collapsed, and Diana, panic-stricken, called out, "Dad, Dad? What are you two
standing there for? Cover and help, quickly!"
Two bodyguards rushed forward to assist Ansel.
Diana hit the call button for the nurse and then dashed out after Martin.
At that moment, Martin was standing in front of the elevator. The doors dinged open, and he was about to step in when...
"Martin."
Diana caught up with him, her fury unchecked, and she slapped him hard across the face.
"Are you even human?" She pummeled his chest with her fists, "Mom's in the ICU fighting for her life, and Dad's been struck down
by your selfishness! Even if you want to marry Serena, even if you want to cut ties with the family, did it have to be now? Are you
trying to kill them?"
Martin let her vent her rage until she was too exhausted to continue. Only then did he gently wipe the tears from his sister's face
with his sleeve.
"Don't pretend to care!" Diana pushed his hand away, tears flowing freely, "If you have any conscience left, cancel the
engagement party on Friday. Out of respect for the years mom and dad raised you, I'm not asking for a lifetof gratitude, just
don't be the last blow that kills them!"
With that, Diana turned and walked away, her heart shattered.
Martin watched his sister's retreating figure, realizing he was in too deep to turn back now.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Unless he could find the mysterious man, deal with that person first. That way, he wouldn't have to sever ties with his family, nor
hurt the Collinses. It was a plan that killed two birds with one stone.
But he had to wait for the mysterious man to produce the final antidote, to ensure Serena took it, before he could eliminate the
threat.
This process could take a month at least, or years at its worst.
During this time, he would have to bear the burden in silence.
For now, he could only apologize to his family.
The next day in the afternoon, Arabella received a call from Jack.
"Boss, | couldn't get into the auction the other day—too many people, | couldn't tell which one was Stinger. But after we grabbed
the auctioneer and put a gun to his head, we got a bit of useful intel," Jack reported over the phone.