Chapter 10 The Absent Presence

• Sandra furrowed her delicate brows.
• She glanced at Wallace, who remained calm and composed. Yet, she chose to remain silent.
• After all, for the past six years, Wallace held no standing in the Williams family.
• He was barred from attending such gatherings and wasn't even permitted to dine at the same table at home.
• Soon, the Williams family members made their way toward the main banquet hall.
• In the hallway, only Sandra and Wallace remained.
• "Wallace, I don't care if you're truly changed, but remember, when you get back, lock your door. Don't open it for anyone except me," Sandra instructed.
• "Got it," Wallace replied with a smile and a nod.
• He realized that her concern wasn't about potential retaliation from Zachary but rather about Lucas Williams, whom he had previously embarrassed.
• For six years, Lucas had seized every opportunity to torment him.
• As Sandra walked away, a sharp gleam appeared in Wallace's eyes.
• "I actually hope he does come for revenge," he muttered under his breath.
• Just then, Wallace noticed Frankie approaching him, with his brother Gerald following close behind.
• Wallace narrowed his eyes.
• Gerald was known to be Lucas' lackey. Why is he here? Could it be…
• As expected, the next moment, Frankie spoke up, "Wallace, you'll leave through the back door with Gerald."
• Gerald smirked and gestured for Wallace to follow him to the elevator.
• Frankie hesitated for a moment before reminding him, "Don't be too rough. He hasn't signed the papers yet."
• Gerald chuckled. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
• Their casual conversation showed they didn't take Wallace seriously at all.
• Over the years, they had never bothered to hide anything from him, assuming he was too dumb to understand.
• Before long, Wallace followed Gerald out the hotel's back door and into a dimly lit alley.
• Despite the city lights being on, the alley remained dimly illuminated.
• After only a few steps, Wallace couldn't help but let out a cold chuckle.
• Because just five meters ahead, Lucas was engrossed in his phone, with a baseball bat firmly gripped in his hand.
• Seeing Wallace approach, Lucas promptly pocketed his phone.
• He smirked menacingly while tapping the baseball bat. "Wallace, how dare you embarrass me in public? I'll make you beg for mercy soon."
• Wallace pretended to be scared, trying to step back, but Gerald blocked his way.
• "P-Please don't hurt me," Wallace stammered nervously.
• Lucas snorted coldly, then tightened his grip on the baseball bat and swung viciously at Wallace, "Just die!"
• The swing was forceful and aimed straight at Wallace's forehead. If it were to hit its mark, serious injury or even death could result.
• Wallace yelped in terror, instinctively ducking and running to the side.
• Unaware that Wallace would evade the blow, Lucas attempted to retract the bat, but it was too late.
• Thud!
• The bat landed heavily on Gerald's chest, causing him to cry out in pain.
• "Why did you hit me?" Gerald erupted in anger.
• Lucas' eyes turned fierce as he immediately changed direction and continued to swing the bat at Wallace.
• As Wallace cried out and dodged in the dim alley, Lucas swung again.
• However, instead of striking Wallace, Lucas accidentally struck Gerald again with the bat.
• "Lucas, are you blind?"
• Despite being a servant, Gerald couldn't help but curse aloud after being repeatedly struck.
• Before he could react, he slipped, and the metal pipe he grabbed inadvertently hit Lucas' shoulder.
• "D*mn it!"
• Lucas grimaced in pain, then glared at Gerald, accusing, "You b*stard, are you deliberately retaliating against me?"
• Gerald was bewildered.
• They had both intended to target Wallace, but somehow, they ended up hurting each other.
• Lucas seemed to realize it too.
• He turned to look at Wallace, who remained calm and collected, and said menacingly, "Wallace, you're playing games with us, aren't you?"
• "Being played by an idiot, and you have the nerve to even mention it." Wallace chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Isn't it you who hit him first, and now he's just seeking revenge?"
• Lucas had already harbored suspicions that Wallace wasn't as foolish as he appeared, especially after the incident in the banquet hall. Wallace's clear and logical response only strengthened those suspicions.
• "Alright, you're definitely not a fool anymore."
• "Old scores, new grudges, let's settle them today!"
• With that, Lucas called out to Gerald as they prepared to strike together.
• However, just as they were about to continue assaulting Wallace, they realized that he, who had stood calmly before them a moment ago, had mysteriously vanished.
• "What... What the hell?"
• They exchanged a glance, both feeling a creeping sense of dread.
• Unaware of the fear he had instilled in them, Wallace had already moved to the side of the road.
• "Having been away for six years, I wonder how things are in the Northville now..."
• Wallace muttered to himself as he retrieved a new cellphone from his pocket and dialed a long-forgotten number.
• It was the number he had obtained from Joshua.
• The number he dialed belonged to his former head of security. In this moment of urgency, he needed to gather the current information.
• "Who's this?"
• The call connected quickly, and a calm voice echoed through the phone.
• Though soft, the voice exuded a powerful aura even through the phone.
• "It's me."
• Wallace recognized the voice immediately—it was Quinton Chapman, his most trusted confidant and former leader of the security team.
• Boom!
• Quinton was stunned as if struck by lightning.
• He gulped, his voice trembling as he asked, "W-who did you say you are?"
• "Wallace Fender."
• Wallace frowned but spoke nonetheless.
• There was silence on the other end of the line.
• "What the hell? Are you out of your d*mn mind? Trying to scam me with prank calls?"
• "Get lost!"
• After what felt like an eternity, just as Wallace was losing his patience, a string of curses suddenly erupted from the phone.
• Then, the call was abruptly disconnected.
• Wallace's gaze turned icy as he slowly put away his phone.
• Why is my most trusted confidant pretending not to recognize me?
• Meanwhile, at a base in the Northville…
• A robust, formidable young man clutched his phone tightly, his body trembling uncontrollably.
• Thud!
• He collapsed to his knees, biting down hard on his lip as tears silently streamed down his face.
• "Your Majesty! You... you've finally shown up!"
• "B-But I can't... I can't..."
• Quinton clenched his fists tightly, smashing them into the ground as if trying to release the pent-up frustration within.
• "General Chapman, are you alright?"
• Suddenly, a voice from outside the door inquired.
• Hearing this, Quinton quickly gathered himself and forced himself to remain calm. "I'm fine," he said.
• After a moment's pause, he instructed, "Arrange everything. I'll be absent from Northville for a few days."
• "But General Chapman, you can't leave the base without authorization from higher-ups..." The individual outside the door responded, wearing a troubled expression.
• "I won't repeat myself," Quinton said sternly, his voice dripping with menace.
• Instantly, a chill ran down the person's spine outside the door.
• He nervously swallowed and replied deferentially, "Yes, General Chapman. I'll make necessary arrangements immediately."