Chapter 49
Lloyd’s voice trembled with a mix of respect and nerves, though beneath his words, fear was palpable.
He was from the prestigious Duncan family of Jinslenburg, a major figure in 319 Biomedical Engineering, and a respected name in the global bio-community—a prominent scientist.
No one had ever seen him so low, begging for forgiveness. The room fell silent, and even Silas and Wayne seemed stunned.
Carlos, clutching his sore hand, struggled to rise from the floor, his face a picture of shock. “Grandpa, this jerk hit me. Why are you apologizing to her? You…” But he didn’t finish.
Lloyd lashed out, kicking him square in the chest and baring his teeth. “You want to bring down the Duncan family? Then shut up and play nice!”
“Grandpa…” Carlos had taken hits from Lloyd before, but never with this much intensity. He wanted to fight back, but one look at Lloyd’s fierce stare made him shut up and stand still.
Lloyd turned to Lenore, his words careful. “Ms. Smedley, my grandson’s been spoiled rotten. I’m sorry for his behavior. Maybe…”
Lenore, tilting her head and with a spark in her eyes, cut him off. “I could forgive him, but…”
Lloyd paused, catching her meaning, and ventured, “What he did was messed up, but it’s not a death sentence. Would it help if you… laid into him again?”
Lenore slowly shook her head, a devilish smirk tugging at her lips. “He actually expected me to kneel and apologize to him…”
She let the words hang, and Lloyd understood. Without hesitation, he spun, grabbed Carlos by the collar, and dragged him forward. “Apologize to Ms. Smedley,” he commanded, his voice deep and firm.
“Grandpa?” Carlos stammered, sure he’d heard wrong.
“Apologize when I say so!” Lloyd snapped, not explaining himself. He kicked the back of Carlos’s knees, forcing him to kneel before Lenore, then shoved his head down.
Only after Carlos bowed did Lloyd release him. “Ms. Smedley, what do you think…” he began, but Lenore raised an eyebrow, cutting him off. “Seems like something’s missing, doesn’t it?”
Lloyd’s face hardened, but Lenore’s presence was overwhelming. She stepped forward, her aura filling the room, and kicked Carlos again, her voice sharp as a whip. “Speak up,” she ordered.
Carlos, witnessing Lloyd’s rare display of submission, and with Silas and Wayne backing Lenore, clenched his teeth and grudgingly admitted, “I was wrong.”
It was a reluctant admission, his eyes burning with hatred that could have scorched Lenore, his voice strained as though forcing the words through a locked jaw.
Lenore laughed it off. “You should’ve been this honest from the start,” she said, before turning and leaving without so much as a glance at Troy.
Silas and Wayne exchanged a look, their curiosity contained, and followed Lenore out.
Only when the coast was clear did Troy snap out of his daze. The whole scene had felt surreal, and he fumbled for his voice. “Mr. Duncan, you…”
“Mr. Smedley,” Lloyd interrupted, his tone almost subservient. “This was on us. Ms. Smedley straightening out my grandson was well-deserved. Can’t entertain you today.” He called for the butler. “Show the guest out.”
Troy felt like he was floating as he was ushered out of the Duncan residence, his mind reeling with confusion. He had come to make amends with the Duncan family, but now, it seemed, they were making amends with Lenore.
Lloyd actually bowed and apologized to Lenore? No way, right? What’s really going on? he thought.
Once the door closed, Carlos finally spoke, indignation dripping from his words. “Grandpa, you made me bow to some nobody, just because of the Faulkner family’s heir. You’re humiliating the Duncan family’s pride. You…”
“What are you talking about?” Lloyd hit him with his cane again, his expression turning stormy. “Am I scared of the Faulkner family’s heir?”
Carlos dodged and stood his ground, stubbornly retorting, “So you’re afraid of that nobody?”
“You…” Lloyd looked at his disappointing grandson, leaning on his cane for support and taking a deep breath. His sunken eyes were full of gravity. “Lenore’s got connections that even the Faulkner family of Denisville can’t afford to mess with!”
