“Uncle Jameson!" Gerard interjected, his voice ice-cold. “If you cannot hold your tongue, I would ask you to leave."

The frigid tone of Gerard's voice sent shivers down everyone's spine.

Yet, in that moment, Jameson was convinced they were duping him. They had spirited Brenda away and barred him from any involvement, not even allowing him a glimpse.

It must be a conspiracy!

“Guards, come in!" Jameson barked. "You think I can't handle you?" he sneered, his confidence swelling.

At his command, a group of men clad in black surged into the living room, each brandishing a firearm, their gazes locked on Gerard.

Jameson's excitement surged.

If Gerard had indeed perpetrated any disgraceful acts against Brenda, Jameson would be the first to know. Then, wouldn't he be perfectly positioned to take over Gerard's influence and seize control of the Harris family Legacy?

“Uncle Jameson, are you serious?" Gerard taunted, his sneer painting Jameson as a fool.

Jameson, having lost all semblance of reason, not only failed to check his impulses but also commanded his men with increased arrogance.

"Go and seize that woman, open the bedroom door upstairs, and bring out Brenda!" he ordered, his voice hoarse and thick, slithering Like a viper at everyone's feet, instilling a deep, visceral fear.

“Yes, sir!" the men in black responded in unison.

“Wait, wait!" Jameson's voice cracked, trembling suddenly. "Don't go upstairs."

He stood rooted to the spot, shock freezing him in place as the cold metal of a gun pressed against his temple. The acrid smell of gunpowder tinged the air around the black muzzle.

"You're insane, Gerard! How dare you treat me like this? How utterly ruthless you are!"

Jameson's face drained of color, his voice quivering, a stark contrast to the authority he wielded moments earlier.

Before returning from abroad, Jameson had heard tales of Gerard's formidable and decisive nature. Initially, he hadn't taken them to heart. But now, the chilling breath of death was palpable.

He was genuinely afraid that Gerard might pull the trigger.

"Uncle Jameson, I have afforded you far too many opportunities which you squandered." Gerard's voice echoed, cold as the grave, its chilling timbre smothering the room.

"Don't worry. I'm close enough that the bullet won't miss its mark. You just need to hold still for a moment, and then you will—"

"No, no!" Panic overtook Jameson, and his legs buckled beneath him.

He collapsed to the floor.

Just as the tension reached a crescendo, the door on the second floor bedroom creaked ominously open.

Lilah, quick to react, dashed upstairs in a frenzy. The sight that met her eyes sent her heart pounding with dread.