Chapter 13 Warning

• "Everyone, please leave the room. Hector and Melinda, stay behind!" Robert's authoritative voice cut through the room after the ceremonial bowing had ended. As the other family members filed out, Hector and Melinda Gates were left alone with Robert.
• Outside, the family members gathered in a tight cluster and talked among themselves. Their eyes frequently darted toward Timothy, whose face was streaked with tears and whose demeanor was unsettlingly dazed.
• Upon seeing him in such a state, Lilian immediately moved to his side. Ignoring the inquisitive glances from the others, she enveloped him in a tight, comforting embrace.
• "I know how much you're hurting right now," she whispered, her eyes red from tears. "It’s alright to let it out. Cry as much as you need to, even if you cry until you can’t stand. It’s not a shame."
• Timothy remained silent; the tears had stopped, but his mind was still reeling. Memories of his conversations with Kevin replayed vividly in his mind, each scene flashing before him like a cherished film.
• He respected Kevin very much and regarded him as a guiding light to lead him through the darkest times. Now, that light was extinguished, leaving him feeling as though a knife had pierced his heart. This knife made his heart feel shattered and throbbing with unbearable pain.
• "Timothy, you were the last person to speak with Grandpa Kevin. What did you say to him? Why did he die so suddenly?'' Hubert demanded with a tone thick with accusation
• As soon as his words landed, everyone’s attention focused sharply on Timothy and Lilian.
• "Yes, what exactly did you discuss with Grandpa Kevin there?" Quinton, following his father’s lead, pressed with a hint of accusation in his voice. His gaze was piercing, reflecting his growing doubts and fears about Timothy's role in Kevin's unexpected death.
• "It’s obvious, isn’t it?" Connor interjected angrily, unable to hold back any longer. "This criminal must have said something terrible, something that upset Grandpa Kevin, especially considering what happened years ago!"
• His voice rang with frustration, fueled by seeing Lilian steadfastly protecting Timothy, which only served to fan the flames of his anger.
• Just moments earlier, Connor had been on the verge of accusing Timothy of causing Kevin's death through sheer anger, but a fleeting sense of caution made him reconsider his words.
• Startled by his statement, Timothy suddenly turned his head. His eyes, cold and penetrating, bore into Connor like daggers.
• "What did you say?" His voice dripped with menace, each word heavy with a barely contained rage that seemed to press down on everyone in the room.
• "Isn't that right?" Connor stammered, his voice quivering. He was visibly shaken by Timothy's sudden, threatening demeanor.
• Despite his fear, he felt the weight of expectation from the gathered elders, their eyes filled with suspicion. He swallowed hard and continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "If that's not the case, then explain why Grandpa Kevin, who was perfectly fine just moments before, suddenly... passed away?"
• Why?
• The question hung in the air, heavy and foreboding.
• Whoosh!
• In response to his words came the sound of something slicing through the air.
• In full view of everyone, Timothy swung his right hand and delivered a slap to Connor.
• Smack!
• The slap landed with a resounding crack, loud enough to echo through the room.
• Connor was knocked to the ground. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and two of his teeth had been knocked out due to the force of the blow.
• That slap was anything but gentle.
• Everything happened so swiftly that Connor had no time to react before he was sent sprawling by Timothy's hand.
• What he failed to understand was that Timothy had exercised restraint, pulling back his true strength. Had he not, Connor's head would have shattered like a watermelon smashed open.
• Despite Timothy's attempt to control his strength, the slap he delivered left five clear and painful fingerprint marks on Connor's face, causing his cheek to swell and redden like a steamed bun.
• In addition, Connor fell to the ground, dazed and disoriented. His ears buzzed with a persistent ringing, his vision swam with darkness, and his head spun in confusion. Instinctively, he brought his hand to his face, trying to soothe the throbbing pain of his swollen cheek.
• The scene was met with stunned silence from everyone present. Even Robert and Hector who had just emerged from Kevin's room were completely taken aback.
• They hadn't anticipated that Timothy would actually strike Connor.
• Hector was the first to break the shocked silence. His face flushed with anger as he rushed forward to protect Connor and positioned himself in front of him. His eyes burned with a mix of fury and disbelief as he confronted Timothy. "What on earth are you doing, Timothy?" he demanded, his voice heavy with indignation.
• Beside him, Melinda, Hector's wife, was beside herself with rage. Her face twisted with fury as she pointed an accusatory finger at Timothy, her voice rising in a shrill scream. "How dare you strike my son, you w*etched little b*stard!" she cursed.
• Without a second thought, Timothy waved his hand dismissively and brushed Melinda aside.
• Then, his gaze swept over the assembled Lavette Family members with a cold, piercing intensity, and he spoke with a chilling edge to his voice, "If anyone here dares to show disrespect to Grandpa Kevin again, don't blame me for being merciless. I won't spare anyone, regardless of age or blood ties. You will bear the consequences of your actions!"
• As he spoke, a terrifying aura emanated from him. At that moment, he was like an unsheathed sword, sharp and dangerously intimidating.
• He was truly angry!
• Even though these so-called relatives had not helped his family during their time of need, he hadn't harbored any anger toward them because he refused to morally bind others to his past. What fueled his fury was their past accusations against his parents, which had indirectly led to tragedy.
• Now, however, the situation had changed. His protective instincts toward Kevin whom he held in the highest regard had been provoked. Should anyone dare to utter a word of disrespect toward his beloved grandfather, he was prepared to turn his wrath upon them without hesitation, even if it meant resorting to violence to defend the honor of the one he revered.
• Timothy's angry words echoed in his ears, and he could feel the terrifying aura emanating from him.
• Hector stood with his mouth agape, trying to speak but finding his mind blank and unable to utter a single word. The scene felt eerily familiar, as if he had lived it before. Meanwhile, shock overtook the expressions of those around him.
• None of them had ever imagined that Timothy, who had been taught a lesson and beaten before, would suddenly seem like a different person entirely. Not only did he strike Connor to the ground with a single slap, but he also didn't answer the ensuing accusations and chose instead to issue a stern warning.
• "Timothy, what exactly are you doing? Are you trying to cause chaos right here?" Robert's voice sliced through the stunned silence. His eyes narrowed with frustration and bore into Timothy, desperately trying to suppress the younger man's defiant stance.
• Yet, to his frustration, Timothy's aura was overwhelmingly powerful, one he found himself unable to suppress.
• "Old Mr. Robert, Connor was the one who first spoke out of turn," Lilian's voice interjected sharply, her patience completely eroded. "Now, with this attitude of yours, are you trying to shift the blame onto Timothy again?"
• Her frustration was visible. She had witnessed Timothy's deep respect for Kevin, and it enraged her to see that some people were now insinuating that he might have angered Kevin to death. How could they be so devoid of shame?
• "Lilian, this matter is for the Lavette Family to resolve!" Robert snapped, his eyes flashing with irritation as he cast a disdainful glance at her. Though he was on the verge of reprimanding her further, he held his tongue.
• He then turned his attention back to Timothy, and his gaze was as cold and unfeeling as the winter frost. "Timothy, you've relied on your military training to assert yourself outside, and that's one thing. But here, you dare to issue threats to your elders at the slightest provocation. Do you have any regard for the family rules?"
• "Family rules?" Timothy laughed bitterly. "Today, you may still be considered my elder, and no matter how you choose to admonish me, I will remain silent. But I will not stand by while anyone speaks ill of Grandpa Kevin. If we are to discuss family rules, questioning and insulting elders, aren't these a breach of those very rules?"
• "You're using deceit to assign blame to your brother. Even if he's at fault, it's not your place to take charge, hit people, or warn your elders. Who do you think you are, assuming you have the authority of the family head?"
• Timothy gave a derisive laugh, his eyes cold and distant. "Head of the family? Is that supposed to be impressive?" His tone dripped with disdain. Since Kevin had departed, Timothy felt a complete detachment from this place. The only person who had ever truly mattered to him here had left this world.
• "You seem to have little respect for the Lavette Family," Robert continued, his voice tinged with a threatening edge. "Let me make it clear: from now on, you'll face the fallout of your actions on your own. Don't expect any support from us!"
• The audacity of the statement struck Timothy as profoundly absurd, like a cruel joke. The notion that the Lavette Family would provide him with any form of support was laughable in his eyes.
• "Thank you for the heads-up, Master Lavette," he said with a bitter edge to his voice. "I never expected the Lavette Family's protection or support. Rest assured, whether in the past or the future, my actions will remain my responsibility. The path I've chosen is mine to walk, and I'll endure whatever comes my way, even if it means crawling through the dirt."
• Robert's face grew taut with embarrassment and frustration. Realizing that the confrontation was becoming a stalemate, he swiftly ordered everyone to leave and instructed Kevin's secretary, Simon, to contact the funeral home. He also began making arrangements for the Lavette Family to prepare for Kevin's funeral.