Chapter 38

"What? Of course not!" Hannah said, her cheeks burning red as she quickly looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Donald chuckled deeply, not hiding his amusement. "It's alright, sweetheart. You don't need to lie to me. Besides, you're now a teacher at Silvercreek High, right? Isn't that where Julie Hale studies? You could have her link you up with her brother... you know." He gave her a playful wink.

"Dad!" Hannah whined, standing up abruptly. "You're being ridiculous. I'm leaving." She turned away, grabbing her bag with haste.

"Just saying," Donald grinned. "Wouldn't be bad having a Rift in the family— assuming he forgives us."

Hannah marched out, muttering under her breath as she shut the door behind her. Once outside, her expression turned serious. "But... Dad's not wrong. Julie could be the bridge I need. Getting close to her might be the only way to reach Jaden now."

---

At the Thornfell Estate

A cold wind blew past the window panes of the Thornfell mansion. Inside one of the luxurious but now tense rooms, Derek lay sprawled on the hospital bed, his face pale, eyes bloodshot. His legs had been amputated, both stumps carefully wrapped in gauze. Doctors and nurses hovered around him, adjusting drips and monitoring his vitals.

Agatha Thornfell stood beside the bed, arms folded, jaw clenched, her eyes raging with fury as she stared at her broken son.

"Mother..." Derek croaked, barely able to lift his head. "Please... revenge me... that bastard... he deserves to die."

Agatha's face twitched with hatred. She slammed her fist into the side table, sending a glass crashing to the floor. The doctors flinched.

"Naomi Turner!" she screamed, her voice trembling with rage. "That bitch! I'll make sure your grave is right next to your son's! I swear it!"

She turned suddenly and punched the full-length mirror behind her, shattering it into jagged shards. Blood trickled from her knuckles, but she didn't flinch.

"We should've crushed him when he was a boy! But no... you all said to wait. Now look!" she yelled, pacing like a lioness ready to tear flesh. "He thinks crippling my son and humiliating us means he's won? He doesn't know what real war looks like."

She stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowed. "And those Winstons... they knew all along. They watched, said nothing, then turned their backs on us." Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "I'll burn them all."

Suddenly, the heavy double doors to the room slammed open.

THUD!

Everyone turned.

An elderly man stepped in, his black cane tapping ominously against the marble floor. His silver beard, sharp eyes, and commanding presence silenced the room instantly.

"Agatha," he called firmly.

It was Elder Long-former head of the Thornfell family. The moment she saw him, Agatha's expression soured.

Elder Long was a man Agatha had

loathed for decades. His overbearing authority constant meddling, and the way he publicly humiliated her under the guise of guidance had left deep scars. He never treated her as an equal, only as a reckless woman unfit to lead. Deep down Agatha had always dreamed of the day she could cast him out or, better yet, watch him fall.

"Uncle Long," she said through clenched teeth, forcing a smile. "To what do I owe this sudden appearance?"

He stopped several feet from her, his eyes narrowing. "To witness the mess you've created. Again."

Agatha's brow twitched.

"Ten years ago, I warned you not to meddle with that woman. I told you the consequences would come, and now... they have. You've cursed this family with your pride and cruelty."

He pointed at Derek. "Look at your son! Amputated! And who did this? A boy you should've never wronged. And now you blame the woman you murdered like she caused all this?"

The doctors lowered their heads, trying to escape the crossfire.

"You speak of Reaper and Elder Dusk," Long continued. "Yet that same boy crushed them both Even Reaper begged for his life do you understand what that means? He wasn't just strong... he was beyond anything we've ever faced. Latest content published on find~novel~net

Agatha's hands balled into fists.

"Still you refuse to accept your role in this, dragging us all into your vendettas and filth. Had you listened—"

SLAP!

The sound cracked through the room like a gunshot. Agatha's palm slammed into

Elder Long's cheek, snapping his face to the side.

Gasps echoed. Even the doctors froze in place.

"Shut the hell up, you old fossil!" Agatha shouted, her chest heaving. "You do nothing but criticize and spour ancient crap. If you weren't the former head, I would've put a bullet between your eyes long ago!"

Long slowly turned his face back toward her, one hand trembling as it touched his reddened cheek.

"You dare..." he said quietly, his voice trembling with disbelief. "You dare strike me?! Have you gone mad?"

Agatha pointed at the door. "Get out before I lose control."

Long's eyes blazed.

"Guards!" he barked. "Remove this madwoman from the premises! She is no

longer fit to lead this house!"