Chapter 12 You're Not Welcome

• How can such a strange rule exist? Leon, Bernice, and Audrey found themselves incredulous at the peculiar decree. They couldn't fathom why Huxley would insist on such a rule, and suspicion brewed within them, suspecting his motives to be veiled in arrogance.
• Leon, feeling a surge of frustration, interjected, "Lee, this is absurd! Moreover, while you might not be able to change the rule, you can adapt to it…"
• But Huxley swiftly interrupted Leon, asserting, "Dad, I'm not spouting nonsense. It's true! I honed my skills under his guidance, and adherence to his rules is paramount!"
• "You… Ah!" Leon, at a loss for words, gazed at Huxley helplessly, resigning himself to the futility of persuading Huxley otherwise.
• Thomas furrowed his brow, a hint of reluctance coloring his tone, "Dr. Sioux, Patrick told us to come here, and we're here hoping you'll consider this for his sake..."
• "Patrick?" Huxley's demeanor turned frosty, a disdainful snort escaping him. "Is he even worth my attention?" His words dripped with a chilly edge. Patrick again! Does he hold any regard for his own life? Huxley mused internally. First Heidi, now Thomas! And above all, after Patrick's release from prison, I entrusted him with the well-being of my family. Yet, what transpired?
• Leon, Bernice, and Audrey exchanged puzzled glances. Huxley's blatant disregard for Patrick left them bewildered. Lee is so bold. Doesn't he fear Patrick? After all, Patrick commanded immense influence, dwarfing the likes of Thomas, Blair, and Ian. It was no exaggeration to deem Patrick as a formidable force capable of sending ripples through the entire Rivervale with a mere gesture.
• However, Huxley merely replied, "Is he even worth my attention?" Would an average person have the nerve to say such things? His audacity left Thomas and Blair taken aback, their brows furrowing in disbelief. They never expected Huxley to be so arrogant. Thomas, his tone icy, interrupted, "Young man, temper your arrogance, or else..."
• Huxley, unfazed by Thomas's warning, retorted without a shred of deference, "My arrogance and youth come hand in hand!" Huxley was merciless and made a dismissive gesture towards the door. "You're not welcome here. I suggest you depart."
• "You… you…" Thomas seethed with anger, his beard trembling with the intensity of his emotions. Since assuming the role of Harmony Hospital's director, he had never encountered such blatant disrespect.
• "Dr. Sioux, just one question, and we'll be on our way," Blair's countenance soured momentarily, but he swiftly regained his composure, addressing Huxley, "Did you employ the legendary Nueve Bane Buxus holistic therapy to save Emma?"
• A flicker of surprise danced in Huxley's eyes as he confirmed, "You're quite experienced. Yes, you're right. I did utilize the Nueve Bane Buxus technique."
• Blair, unsurprised by the admission, upheld his end of the bargain, offering a respectful nod to Huxley before making his way to the door. Recognizing the futility of lingering, Thomas emitted a resigned sigh and followed Blair out the door.
• "Lee, what has gotten into you? Do you comprehend the magnitude of the opportunity you've squandered?" Bernice's eyes bore into Huxley as she watched Thomas and Blair exit, her gaze brimming with disappointment. She then turned to glare at Huxley, her words laced with reproach, "And don't you forget, you've been incarcerated, bearing such an unsavory charge..."
• A surprised voice echoed from outside the house at this moment, interrupting their tense exchange. "Mr. Patrick, why are you here too?"
• Bernice's features froze in disbelief upon hearing it. "Mr. Patrick? Could it be Patrick Tigger from the Willowbrook Chamber of Commerce?" Her countenance soured further as she glared at Huxley, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper, "If you still hold an ounce of regard for me as your mother, you better heed Mr. Patrick's wishes and depart with him later, Lee!"
• Huxley felt highly reluctant, but he acquiesced with a nod, replying, "Mom, rest assured, I know what needs to be done."
• At that moment, Thomas's voice resonated from outside, "Mr. Sioux, Mr. Patrick has arrived. Why aren't you coming out to welcome him?"
• "Lee, don't dawdle any longer, get moving!" Leon's words dripped with worry.
• "Lee, I implore you, spare us the trouble. Think about me, your father, and your little sister," Bernice's urgency pierced through the air.
• "Lee, please, don't be so stubborn, alright? Our family has newfound hope now. Do you want to see it all come crashing down?" Audrey pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.
• The Sioux family's collective anxiety intensified as they observed Huxley's unmoved stance. Huxley looked at the door with a faint smile and mused aloud, "Should I go greet him? But can he handle it?"
• Leon and Bernice exchanged a worried glance. Does Huxley suffer from a mental illness?
• "Lee, what do you say we go to the hospital tomorrow morning together for a check-up?" Audrey's concern was palpable. If this isn't a neurological issue, how can he display such brazen behavior?
• At that moment, Patrick appeared at the door. Accompanying him were not only Thomas and Blair but also his trusted associates—Emery Amell, whose alias was Foxthorn, and Kasper Rudder, known as Wolfshade. Emery was like an advisor to Patrick, while Kasper was Patrick's formidable enforcer.
• Patrick approached Huxley with a deferential nod and a gentle smile. "I apologize for not being aware of your release from prison today; otherwise, I would have personally escorted you from the prison gates."
• Witnessing Patrick's unexpected demeanor, Leon, Bernice, and Audrey exchanged bewildered glances. What's going on? Has Mr. Patrick lost it?
• Huxley, maintaining a composed demeanor, offered Patrick a smile before speaking, "I believe you owe me an explanation."
• Patrick's brow furrowed in mild irritation. "I'm afraid I don't comprehend your insinuation. Please elaborate."
• With a nonchalant raise of his brows, Huxley remained unfazed. "You're not welcome at my house. I suggest you take your leave."
• Bernice panicked, her eyes flashing with frustration as she fixed her glare on Huxley, her tone stern, "Lee, how could you address Mr. Patrick in such a manner? Apologize this instant!"
• But Huxley remained seemingly unperturbed, his focus unwaveringly fixed on Patrick's countenance. As tension thickened in the air, Audrey, on the brink of tears, pleaded with her brother, "Please, Lee, apologize to Mr. Patrick. I'm begging you!"
• "Mom, Drey, relax," Huxley retorted with a smirk, his tone laced with arrogance. "He's not in a position for me to apologize to him."
• "You... you've lost your mind!"
• "Lee... how could you..."
• "M-Mr. Patrick, I'm Huxley's adoptive father. Please accept my apology on his behalf... I'm deeply sorry!"
• The Sioux family trembled with fear, dreading Patrick's potential outburst in the ensuing moments.
• Thomas and Blair exchanged resigned sighs, recognizing the burden that often accompanied exceptional talent. Those who excelled were frequently subject to heightened scrutiny and critique. While they acknowledged Huxley's remarkable medical prowess, they lamented his apparent obliviousness to the present circumstances, hindering his potential for further growth.
• Patrick's gaze narrowed, fixing on Huxley with a cold intensity. "This isn't Fangfirst Gaol," he stated icily. "While I won't hold it against you since you saved my life, I caution you against excessive arrogance."
• Huxley regarded Patrick with a calm demeanor, his initial impression of the man not improving with their current interaction. It seemed evident to him now that Patrick was not a person of sterling character. Despite the substantial two hundred million given as repayment for saving his life, Huxley expected at least a modicum of gratitude. Yet, not only did Patrick fail to acknowledge this debt, but he also appeared to have come with airs and graces.
• Under Huxley's unwavering gaze, Patrick couldn't shake off a sense of unease reminiscent of the chilling memories from his time in prison. He recalled witnessing even the most formidable figures reduced to submissive states in Huxley's presence.
• Troublemakers who dared to challenge Huxley met with dire consequences—some were subjected to brutal beatings and dunked into vats of industrial alcohol. Furthermore, others were bound to electric poles under scorching sunlight, enduring lashings with whips from fellow inmates.
• What made matters even more chilling was Huxley's unparalleled medical expertise, rendering the thought of death a luxury in Huxley's presence. In Fangfirst Gaol, Huxley reigned supreme as the absolute monarch, his authority unchallenged.
• "Mr. Patrick, Lee is ignorant. I beg you not to hold it against him!" Leon implored, his tone pleading as he beseeched Patrick.
• "Mr. Patrick, Huxley is grappling with mental illness. I implore you to show him mercy," Bernice and Audrey chimed in without hesitation upon seeing Leon, their voices trembling with desperation. "If your wrath demands retribution, direct it towards me. Spare Huxley, even if it means my own demise!"
• Huxley was deeply shaken by the genuine kindness exhibited by the Sioux family despite the suffering he had inadvertently brought upon them, intensifying his overwhelming sense of guilt. His resentment towards Patrick surged even further.
• "Mom, Dad, Drey, please stop this," Huxley interjected, his voice tinged with frustration. "This ingrate holds no power over me."
• Leon's gaze bore into Huxley with unwavering intensity as he spoke, "If you truly wish to spare us harm, then shut up and offer a sincere apology to Mr. Patrick."