By the time Killian finished with the men in the bar, all of them were lying on the floor and writhing in pain. Some had broken wrists, arms, or legs. He dragged a stool and sat, looking at them. His eyes danced with mirth as he crossed his hands over his chest and smiled.
"Who… who the hell are you?" The bartender asked, groaning in pain. His right leg had been twisted at the knee. He doubted if he would ever walk again.
Killian's face brightened up. He pointed to himself and asked, "Me?" He chuckled. "Someone you should have never messed with," he answered in a whisper.
After that short reply, he stood up and walked out of the bar. The way he walked was full of confidence, as if he had not just finished thrashing some people. He got into his shabby car and left the area.
Killian drove for a while before finally parking the car in a quiet part of the road that was covered with large trees. He stepped out of the car and walked a little off the road.
There was another young man, Jacob, standing by one of the trees who immediately smiled when he saw Killian. He led him further until they stopped into front of another car.
This time around, the car wasn't shabby or broken like the first one. In fact, this one was a white Mercedes Benz C300 and it looked as if it was brand new.
Jacob opened the back door and Killian entered. After that, he circled the car and came to the driver's seat before starting the car and bringing it onto the road.
Meanwhile, in the backseat, Killian made a call with someone over the phone. After informing the people where to pick the shabby car, he ended the call.
As soon as he dropped the phone, Jacob glanced at him through the rearview mirror and questioned, "Did you find anything?"
Killian shook his head. "Nothing."
Jacob smiled. "You sound a bit amused, sir. Might I ask what happened?"
"Nothing much." Killian smiled, recalling the incident at the bar a while ago. He flexed his wrists and added, "I just got to exercise my wrists; it's been a while."
Jacob nodded with a smile. He clearly understood what his boss said. He could only hope inwardly that the people he had used for his 'exercise' would be able to use their injured body parts after today.
"Did anyone call for me?" Killian asked, looking outside the window. The lush green trees that would go on for a long way before they would stop captivated him.
"Yes, your grandfather," Jacob replied. "I will relay his message word for word, sir." Jacob coughed and began, "Tell that scumbag to bring his silly ass back to the house before I come pulling him by the ear. Also, tell him that I am not getting any younger and need an heir!"
Killian chuckled. He glanced at the man driving and inquired, "Is that all?"
Jacob hissed. "As usual," he cleared his throat again, "You two have nothing to do with your lives! Useless grandsons! If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought you two were a couple."
Killian smiled warmly as an image of his grandfather ranting flashed in his mind. With a sigh, he whispered to Jacob to go over to the mansion. "Let's hear what he has to say."
***
Back in the Rhys' family house, Ivy who had been sitting on the bed, lost in thoughts, finally heard her stomach grumble. She placed a hand on her belly and smiled. "You must be one with a big appetite, hmm?" She muttered, patting her stomach.
A glanced at the wall clock in her room and Ivy saw that it was time for dinner. Though she did not feel like going downstairs, she needed to eat something for the sake of her child. So, she got up and left the room.
When she arrived at the dining area, everyone except her father was there. Without a word to anyone, Ivy placed herself on her usual seat, away from the rest of them, and began to dish some food for herself.
While she was doing that, Charlotte, a middle-aged woman's eyes were locked onto her. The woman had a smug smile on her face as she waited until Ivy had begun to eat before saying, "You should eat more, Ivy. Every pregnant woman has a big appetite."
Ivy did not look up, nor did she reply. She simply focused on eating quickly and leaving the table. She was already used to her stepmother's tactics and was no longer fazed by them.
Lottie did not look too good after being ignored by Ivy. She forced a smile and pressed. "Ivy, dear, I am only worried about you and the baby. Don't you see?"
Ivy sighed, finally looking in Lottie's direction. "We are fine, thank you," she said flatly and continued to eat.
Next to Lottie, Cammie, a young girl, about a year younger than Ivy chimed in, "You don't have to be so rude to my mum, you know."
"Your mum should know her place and know that it is not good to poke nose in others matters," Ivy retorted, slightly irritated. It was physically impossible to have a peaceful meal in the house with Lottie and Cammie at the table. It was even worse if her father was absent.
Lottie felt insulted. She could never get used to Ivy's sharp tongue. She took a sip of water and began to dish her own food, saying, "Ivy, I'm sorry if you feel like I'm poking into your matters. I won't do so anymo—"
"That would be great!" Ivy looked up and forced a smile. "You would be doing me a big favor. Although, I doubt you can ever do that."
Lottie's frown deepened. She glanced at her daughter who was glaring at Ivy and shook her head, signaling for the girl to be calm but Cammie had no control over her mouth.
"It's fun to see that the little whore still feels no remorse after what she's done, mother," Cammie said meaningfully with a chuckle. "She even has the guts to feed the little bastard before us. Isn't that sweet?" Her eyes lingered a while on Ivy's flat tummy beneath the table before they moved to Ivy's eyes.
"Now, now, Cammie darling, that's no way to talk to your sister," Lottie chastised mockingly. "Pregnant women tend to get angry quickly. It would be in every one's interest that you do not provoke Ivy."
Ivy, who had wanted to react when Cammie called her child a bastard, took a deep breath and held it in. She glanced at the mother and daughter and said nothing. Even though she was hurt, she was determined to keep it in. Her problems were bigger than the scheming mother and her minion of a daughter.
Cammie feigned gasping. "Is that so, Ivy? How about you show me how mad a pregnant woman can get?" She has a smug smile on her face.
Ivy rolled her eyes, her patience was wearing thin quickly. "How about you shut the fuck up before I shove a table knife down your dirty throat?" She smirked.
Cammie was taken aback. Did Ivy just use a cuss word on her? That was strange. Was this how mad a pregnant woman could get?
Even Cammie's mother, Lottie, was stunned for a moment before smiling and saying, "Ivy, why don't you apologize to your little sister? How about that?"
Ivy was already accustomed to Lottie's fake pretense when the house staff or her father were looking. Lottie was mean, rude, and a scheming witch. She had been tolerating it for a while but today, Ivy did not feel like she could.
She met Lottie's gaze. "How about you ask your bastard daughter to shut up and leave. me. alone. before I dice her into pieces and dump her on your plate?"
Lottie froze. "Ivy! How dare you call my daughter a bastard?" She yelled.
Ivy smiled. "So it hurts?" She asked sarcastically. "I thought it does not hurt since your daughter said the same about my child?"
Cammie who had already begun to wail at being called a bastard suddenly said, "Did I tell a lie? Isn't that child a bastard!? After all, I'm sure you don't even know the father! I bet you must have slept with a couple of trash on the street and gotten pregnant!"
"At least, I am not someone's mistress." Ivy refused to be pushed. She placed her spoon on the table and stood up. "You should be thankful to your stars that I am not in the mood for an exchange today. That was just a warmup."
Lottie and Cammie watched as she walked out of the dining area with her nose stuck in the air. Their faces had reddened from anger. Once more, Ivy had won.
Cammie turned to her mother. "Mum, I hate that Ivy!"
Lottie exhaled and patted her daughter's shoulder, still looking ahead even though Ivy was long gone. "Don't worry, darling. She'll be out of our way soon."
"I hope so." Cammie hissed.