?Chapter 666:


    After finishing her meal, Elena wiped her mouth, feeling content. “Thank you for the dinner.”


    Wesley decided not to push further tonight. “I’ll drive you back.” She needed a good night’s rest to prepare for the big event tomorrow.


    He remained intrigued by how Elena had managed to persuade Graham to change his mind and even leave the party early.


    “The Martin family must be in chaos right now…”


    Elena gave azy smile but stayed silent. Keith was probably having a difficult time at the moment.


    Keith had been enjoying himself at a nightclub when an urgent call from his father summoned him home.


    Once home, before Keith could even ask the reason for the urgent call, his father berated him. “You worthless piece of crap! You constantly cause trouble. Today, you’ll learn your lesson!”


    Suddenly, a steaming teacup was hurled toward Keith, barely missing his face.


    The cup smashed on the floor, and the hot tea sttered across Keith’s neck, scalding him.


    His face reddened with anger as he seethed but held back any impulsive curses. “Dad, what have I done to deserve this?” he asked.


    Graham looked at his son with utter disappointment. He pulled a long face, his gaze cold. “You spend your days with worthless friends, wasting time on parties and drinks, and you dare ask me that? You’re a disgrace! Haven’t you crossed the Harper family? Who emboldened you to challenge them?”


    The four prominent families of the had solidified their power for decades, maintaining extensiveworks. Though they appeared merely as business people, their reach and influence were vast.


    Keith curled his lip in a sneer. “So? The Harper family just has some money. What’s wrong with me crossing them? Why are you making such a fuss? They should be afraid after I came after them.” Being the deputy mayor’s son, Keith was ustomed to ttery. He didn’t take the Harper family seriously, despite them being one of the four major families of the. Instead of acknowledging his own errors, he felt his father was making a big deal out of nothing. Why was his father getting all riled up over the Harper family now that he was promoted to deputy mayor?


    Graham’s breath hitched at his son’s arrogance, his fury escting. “Shut your face! The four great families of the have been around for over a century. Do you really think they’re just small-time yers? Think before you speak!”


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    Furious, Graham tore off his belt and struck Keith sharply across the back with it.


    Having only recently secured his position, Graham had to deal with the repercussions of his son’s reckless actions, nearly offending Grady, a former president and a national security advisor. Notably, the current President had been one of Grady’s protégés. Thus, Grady’s appreciation toward Elena suggested…


    She was far from ordinary. To the outside world, Elena was simply a Harper, but her acquaintance with Grady hinted at the Harper family’s vast influence.


    Graham dreaded imagining what could have happened if Elena had pursued the matter further. Fueled by fury directed at Keith, he struck Keith with increased vigor. “Idiot! Do you know whom I encountered today? Grady Benson! With Grady’s support, only a fool like you would still dare cross the Harper family! You’re going to be the death of me!” Crack, crack, crack—the belt struck three more times.


    Keith clenched his teeth, his eyes aze with resentment. He had endured beatings like this throughout his childhood and never dared retaliate. Burning with bitterness and hatred, he med Elena and the Harper family for the ordeal he experienced. He vowed to retaliate against them someday.


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