Zachary scoffed in response. “The royal forces? Do you really think that would scare me?”
He then pointed his gun at the ceiling and fired several successive shots.
Bang! Bang!
The bullets struck the chandelier on the ceiling, sending crystals raining down.
Just then, the door to the study room burst open, and dozens of armed soldiers rushed into the room. More soldiers stood outside the window of the study room, and all of them trained their guns at Zachary.
Sherlyn entered the room last, flanked by more armed men.
“Put down the gun if you want to live, Zachary.” She had a gun pointed at him as well.
Louis exclaimed, “Mom, what are you doing?” He had never imagined that his mother would cause such a scene.
While he pointed his gun at Zachary to protect Charlotte, his mother’s actions represented the Laurents’ declaration of war against the Nacht family.
It was wholly unnecessary and out of line.
Zachary burst into laughter. “Did you think you could stop me with dozens of soldiers?”
Sherlyn remained painfully ignorant of the danger ahead. “Such insolence! Even if you’re not scared of our soldiers, there’s still the Lindberg family, and we have Mr. Lindberg’s best men with us. There’s no way you’d be able to escape!”
“Mom, stop it,” Louis pleaded nervously.
“Lady Sherlyn, it seems like you’ve been sheltered for far too long. I pity your ignorance about the evils of the outside world.”
The soldiers outside the window suddenly crumpled over just as Zachary finished his sentence.
Dumbfounded, Sherlyn could only watch as bodyguards from the Nacht family stormed into the study room before neutralizing her men.
“Y-You,” she stuttered in disbelief.
Robert had arrived home just then, and he immediately apologized. “Zachary, please have mercy on us!”
He added pleadingly, “Please accept my apology on behalf of my wife; she doesn’t know any better. Our families have been on good terms for many years, especially Mr. Nacht. It would be such a shame to ruin our relationship over such a minor issue.”
“A minor issue?” Zachary asked, though he kept his piercing gaze on Charlotte.
“Whatever it was, there’s no need to bring death into the equation.” Robert hastily changed tack and offered an olive branch. “Let’s sit down and have a talk over this, shall we? We shouldn’t exchange arms at all costs. Please accept my suggestion for my sake, all right?”
Zachary tossed the gun in his hand to Robert. “I wanted to have a peaceful talk, but Lady Sherlyn is being impolite. This gun belongs to your family.”
Robert knew at first glance that the gun belonged to Sherlyn. He wanted desperately to tell off his wife right then and there, but the urgency of the situation demanded him to first bow to Zachary in apology.
“Please accept my deepest apologies over Sherlyn’s and Louis’ behavior. On account of our families’ good relationship and the sake of your grandfather, I hope you can be the bigger person and forgive our transgressions!”
“What are you doing?” Sherlyn was dumbfounded at her husband’s meek demeanor. Zachary’s the one in his territory, for God’s sake!
Robert roared impatiently, “Shut up! Must you carry on like this until Louis’ life is in danger?”
Sherlyn swallowed her displeasure and kept quiet.
Charlotte chimed in, “Zachary, let’s talk through this alone instead of making a scene. The children are still in the manor, and I’m sure they’ll be upset if they find out about this.”
The mention of their children worked wonders in soothing Zachary’s mood.
Gone was the murderous gaze, though anger and hatred still swirled in the depths of his eyes. “There’s nothing left to say. I’m bringing all three kids with me!”
He turned to leave.
“Zachary! What do you mean? We’ve discussed this; Robbie stays with me,” Charlotte yelled and chased after him.
He replied without even turning back, “Too bad, I’ve changed my mind. I won’t allow my son to call someone else ‘Dad.’ They’re my kids, and they’re coming with me. That’s final!”
“Y-You-” Charlotte was tongue-tied at his audacity.
