Caden didn''t hesitate—he pressed the cold barrel of his gun straight into Barnaby''s chest.


    But Barnaby wasn''t the type to scare easy. His eyes narrowed, growing frosty as he met Caden''s re.


    Caden snarled, "Kid, do you even know where you are? Say the word and I''ll rip that big mouth of yours right off your face."


    At that moment, Caden truly meant every word. He was itching to beat Barnaby senseless.


    But before Caden could make another move, Barnaby sprang forward in a blur, lightning quick. He seized Caden''s wrist in a vice grip. There was an audible crack, and Caden''s weapon tumbled to the ground with a metallic tter. Caden let out a muffled groan, doubled over in pain.


    Barnaby, who had been all nonchnce a moment ago, now dusted off his hands with a look of withering contempt.


    Caden could do nothing but clutch his aching wrist, his face twisted in agony.


    Derek''s expression darkened further, but Barnaby just twisted the knife. "Told you the truth, but you wouldn''t listen. Maybe you should go home and get your facts straight before barging in here and making a scene. Why drag Susanna into this?"


    Derek''s lips twisted, but he said nothing.


    By then, Ss had stepped up behind Barnaby. Derek nced over, wary.


    Ss''s voice was calm, but firm. “Susanna can''t get involved in Hull''s affairs.”


    He didn''t need to say more the message was crystal clear. Whether Susanna was Derek''s daughter or his ancestor, it wouldn''t make a difference. She had no say in whatever mess the ck Gate hadnded in.


    Derek''s breathing quickened, bordering on ragged. Being told, again and again and in front of everyone, that these weren''t really his children-who could stand that humiliation?


    He finally let out a cold snort, swiped furiously at his coat, and strode out without looking back.


    Susanna had been in the room all along. Hull brought her a bowl of egg soup. This caused Susanna to grumble with dissatisfaction: "I want something spicy." "Better not eat it now, dear."


    For people with a cold, especially those who have a slight cough, Hull had checked onlinest night. It''s best not to give them spicy food.


    Susanna: "Then when should I eat it?"


    "When your cough''s better."


    "Oh." She drew the word out, disappointment in her voice.


    Just then her phone began to vibrate. The caller ID showed an unknown number. Susanna picked up. "Hello?"


    "It''s me."


    Derek''s unmistakable voice, gruff as ever. She had no idea how he''d gotten her number-then again, maybe he''d always had it and just never bothered to call until now. I seemed this had little to do with Susanna herself and everything to do with his own problems at ck Gate; he''d finally realized she might be his best shot at getting things fixed.


    Not that this softened his tone one bit.


    Maybe it was the sting fromst night, or the fresh humiliation he''d suffered at the hands of Hull''s people that morning. Either way, Derek sounded like he was swallowing nails.


    Hearing his voice, Susanna''s own tone chilled. "Oh—it''s you."


    "You''re doing this on purpose, aren''t you?" he used.


    "Excuse me?"


    "You weren''t around for all these years, and now you''re back in Litamark-what, your expect me to kick out all the other kids from "gut


    cktower? Susanna, they''re your brothers and sisters!"


    Susanna''s face, already frosty, wentpletely cold at his words.


    She gave a short, icyugh. "Brothers and sisters, huh? Sorry, I''m not that blessed. For as long as I can remember, I''ve always been an only child. Don''t go tossing those words around to try to make us family. It doesn''t make me happy and it sure wouldn''t have made my mother happy, either."