Chapter 686
Chapter 686:
From the corner of his eye, he saw Janice and Aiden watching from a distance, their faces showing no signs of worry.
If death was inevitable, he thought, he might as well face it head-on. It was now or never, and he chose to embrace his defiance fully. As Jorge opened his mouth to speak, Vernon stepped forward and slapped him hard across the face.
Jorge stood frozen, mouth agape, his expression a mix of shock and fury.
“Haven’t you heard of me? I only slapped you out of respect for Mateo Welch.”
Jorge, ready to retaliate, was momentarily stopped by the mention of Mateo. His anger flared, but confusion quickly replaced it as he fixed Vernon with a puzzled gaze. “Are you somehow connected to him?”
“Feeling intimidated now? You were all high and mighty just a moment ago! You wanted to kill us, but don’t you fear that Mateo might bury you instead?” Vernon spat, his voice dripping with disdain.
Jorge was filled with uncertainty, but the confidence in Vernon’s tone felt too genuine to be an act, making him hesitate.
The Lambert family’s power in Cloverhill was mainly due to the Welch family’s support. If Mateo truly stood behind Vernon, then Jorge had undoubtedly trapped himself.
Vernon saw the doubt creeping into Jorge’s face, and his eyes lit up with realization. He had correctly guessed that Jorge’s influence paled in comparison to the Welch family’s, whose support Jorge and his gang had always relied on.
“What an ignorant fool!” Vernon sneered, his hand cocking back for another sharp slap.
The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the street, louder than the nearby honking, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.
It was unthinkable. The notorious and feared Jorge had just been slapped. The air was thick with disbelief.
𝓣𝓻𝓾𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓭: ⲅ𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⫽𝖼𝗈𝗺
On top of that, Jorge’s hesitation suggested he was being more cautious with Vernon. Could this sharply dressed man actually be someone important after all?
“You’re digging your own grave!” Jorge glared at Vernon, his eyes blazing with fury.
However, Vernon’s hand struck again, landing a sharp, resounding slap across Jorge’s face.
The three slaps brought Vernon a sense of satisfaction, though he couldn’t ignore the slight pain shooting through his hand.
“You should be grateful I’m only slapping you. If the people in the car had intervened, you’d be in far greater danger.”
Vernon shot a meaningful glance at Janice inside the car, his eyes filled with respect. The look only made Jorge more uneasy about the pair.
“Now, get on your knees and apologize. You’ve insulted the people in that car. Without their mercy, not even Mateo can protect you.”
Jorge’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at Vernon, realizing the possibility that they might be connected to Mateo and wield significant influence.
“What’s the matter?” Vernon’s eyes narrowed into slits as he advanced menacingly. “Should I summon Mateo here personally?”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Jorge fought to steady his racing heart, forcing a facade of composure. “I was out of line earlier and caused offense. I apologize.”
Vernon’s eyebrow arched in smug satisfaction at Jorge’s submission. Janice’s advice rang true—when confronting the arrogant, one must wield even greater arrogance to break them.
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