?<strong>Chapter 1027:</strong>


    He didn’t even get to finish before Brook’s face turned ice cold.


    “If I were you,” Brook cut in sharply, “I wouldn’t go around admitting I got beaten by a woman.”


    Without hesitation, Brook raised his hand and called for a servant. “Make sure he stays kneeling outside. Not a minute less,” Brookmanded firmly.


    The servant nodded quickly, clearly uneasy. “Yes, sir,” he replied, his voice trembling.


    In their position, they knew that anything they saw or heard had to stay buried forever.


    Momentster, Hoyt was kneeling outside, humiliated and seething. “I don’t need you hovering over me! I’ll endure it on my own!” Hoyt snapped, ring angrily at the servant.


    Allison, meanwhile, was quietly watching Brook.


    She noticed that whenever Hoyt acted obedient, Brook’s gaze toward him was filled with superiority.


    He seemed to relish havingplete control over his son.


    In some ways, Hoyt was exactly what Brook wanted in a child.


    But Ken? He could never be that way.


    Once Hoyt left the room, Brook turned his attention to Ken. “I’ve already dealt with him. You should remember, after all, he’s still your brother,” Brook said, his tone lofty and dismissive.


    With a gesture meant to appear magnanimous, Brook continued, “When you’re around others, you need to get along. Don’t let anyoneugh at the Lloyd family. At the very least, keep appearances.”


    Allison couldn’t stop herself from letting out a mockingugh.


    “Mr. Lloyd, you really are something,” Allison said with a biting tone. “But here’s the problem — Ken is a person, not some obedient dog. He has his own mind and won’t bow to anyone’s demands.”


    At that moment, Allison fully understood Brook’s true nature. There wasn’t an ounce of fatherly love in him — not for Ken, and even less for Hoyt.


    To Brook, they were nothing but pawns on a chessboard.


    The only difference was that Ken was the better pawn, more valuable and deserving of slightly better treatment.


    Yet Brook had the audacity to act righteous, as though he was merely training a loyal pet.


    Ken, too, wasn’t one to hold back. His words dripped with sarcasm. “What’s your n, Brook? Do you think faking harmony will fool people into believing the Lloyd family is one big, happy unit?” His face was cold, utterly devoid of emotion.


    After a brief pause, he added sharply, “Don’t say such nauseating things. The hypocrisy makes me want to vomit.”


    Ken’s sarcastic tone, dripping with disdain, gnawed at thest shred of patience Brook had left.


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