“Dennis, get up. You can talk to me standing," Kevin said, his voice deep and steady.

Dennis clung tighter to his grandfather's leg, shaking his head so hard it looked like it might come off. “No! I'm not getting up. Not unless you promise. Grandpa, you have to help me!"

Kevin's voice dropped, his patience thinning. "Get up."

Dennis remembered what Amelia had told him. Keep begging, don't give up, not until Grandpa says yes.

"I'm not! Please, Grandpa, just save Mom. Bring her home. I miss her so much!" His words dissolved into a raw, desperate wail. The sound was so sharp it made Kevin's ears ache.

Kevin's face hardened. He called for the butler and a maid to come in.

He nodded at them, his voice grim. "Help him up.”

The butler and maid hesitated as Dennis's cries grew even louder, almost panicked. "Stay away! Don't touch me!” Dennis screeched, tears streaking down his cheeks.

The butler reached for Dennis's arm, but Dennis thrashed like he thought they might hurt him. The butler's hands trembled a little. He glanced up at Kevin, unsure what to do.

Kevin frowned, his eyes narrowing. "Do I have to spell it out for you? Hurry up."

At that, Dennis wrapped his arms and legs even tighter around Kevin's leg. He screamed so loud the teacups on the table rattled.

"Grandpa! Grandpa! Don't let them touch me!"

The butler and maid exchanged a look, then each took a side, trying to pry Dennis's small brands and legs away. For such a little kid, he was weirdly strong.

They were careful, not wanting to hurt him or leave marks, but that just made it

harder. Sweat started to bead on their foreheads as he fought them.

It took ages, and by the time they finally pulled Dennis free, his voice was hoarse from shouting. He squirmed in their grip slippery as a fish, yelling, "Let me go! Let me go!"

The butler and maid held on, looking at Kevin, waiting for what to do next.

Kevin stood up, his face icy. “Dennis Lane, are you done causing trouble?”

His voice was deep, cold, and completely in control.

Dennis's cheeks were wet with tears. “Grandpa, why are you doing this to me? I feel awful... you lied to me, and you won't even help.....”

Kevin turned away, eyes closed. "Dennis Lane, I'll say this one more time. I didn't lie to you, and I'm not going to help you. Your mom went on a trip. It's the people outside who lied You believed them, and now you come here making a scene. Is this what I've taught you? To be so foolish?"

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Dennis froze for a second, shocked by his grandfather's words. Then he burst out,

even more upset than before. "You did lie! You're lying to me now!"