Chapter 7 Grandpa, Sorry I Was Late

• A dense fog hovered over the graveyard, with Tyler standing aside, observing the ceremony.
• One of the bodyguards spotted Mason nearby and whispered to Tyler, "Mr. Smith, Mason's over there."
• Tyler turned to look, but the fog was too thick, making it hard to see. "Say hi to him."
• Mason and Clara found their way blocked by the bodyguards. Several hefty men approached and snapped Mason's cane before tossing it aside, where it shattered against a large rock.
• "Mason, you don't belong here. Get lost!"
• The rain suddenly poured harder, and Clara struggled to hold the umbrella steady; the wind snatched away the fabric, leaving her with only the handle.
• The onlookers burst into laughter at this sight. "Mason, are you here to embarrass yourself?"
• The drizzling rain soon soaked their attire, and Clara felt Mason's hand ice-cold in hers.
• She gazed up at his face. Rainwater streamed down his hair, dripped onto his lashes, and slid down his cheeks.
• Seeing Mason remaining silent, the bodyguards exchanged glances, their smiles fading gradually.
• Though now blind, Mason still commanded respect, a relic of his former glory.
• Tyler adjusted his hat and approached Mason with a smirk. "What are you scared of? A blind tiger is no tiger at all—just a kitten."
• "I'm here to bid Grandpa farewell," Mason stated calmly.
• Tyler squinted through the rain, while one of his henchmen behind him gestured towards his groin, shouting, "Crawl through my legs, and you'll be able to honour Old Mr. Smith!"
• Clara clenched her fists at the sight. Tyler chuckled. "Even though he's been ousted from the Smiths due to his blindness, I still see him as my cousin and my grandfather's grandson."
• Mason felt Tyler's firm but gentle tap on his shoulder.
• "Mason, we're cousins, so we should get along. You know what I want, and if you give it to me, you can go pay your respects."
• "Tyler, what gives you the right?" Mason seized Tyler's hand on his shoulder and twisted it sharply, causing Tyler to grimace in pain.
• "Mason!" Tyler yanked his hand back. Annoyed, he ordered the men behind him, "Go, grab him!"
• Tyler retreated to a safer distance and signalled before his men surged towards Mason.
• In panic, Clara attempted to shield Mason but was shoved aside, crashing onto the hard ground.
• Mason was knocked down.
• Blind, he could only hear the rain's patter, unable to discern whose footsteps approached.
• A blow struck his cheek, followed by another to the back of his head.
• Then, someone swung a shovel viciously at his back.
• He collapsed with a thud, akin to a sturdy wall crumbling.
• Tyler stood beneath the umbrella, leisurely observing. His fingers, previously twisted by Mason, still tingled.
• He massaged them while eyeing Mason, who persisted in rising after each fall. "Stop pretending, Mason. Tell me where Grandpa's seal is, and I'll ensure you're cared for, fed, and watered for life."
• Blood seeped from Mason's broken brow, mixing with the rain as it trickled down his face.
• Clara scrambled up from the ground and rushed over to shield Mason. One of the thugs hesitated when he saw Clara was a woman. Lifting the shovel, he stopped in his tracks and glanced at Tyler.
• Tyler sighed. "I can't stand seeing women being hit."
• Then, he turned and waved his hand to the thugs.
• The heavy shovel struck Clara's back mercilessly, and she let out a muffled groan.
• "Leslie!" Mason couldn't push her away in time, and Clara got hurt.
• She slipped softly down his back, and Mason caught her, his bloodied hands gently brushing her cheek.
• With her eyes closed tightly, she fainted.
• The storm intensified. Tyler's men didn't receive orders to stop, so they continued hitting the two. Mason held Clara protectively, trying to lift his head amid the punches and kicks while turning towards Tyler not far away.
• Tyler's voice broke through the growing rain fog, "Mason, Grandpa would be heartbroken to see his favourite grandson reduced to this."
• Regardless of Tyler's words, Mason remained silent.
• Getting bored, Tyler trudged past Mason through the puddles.
• Dirty water splashed all over Mason's face and clothes.
• Tyler's men followed him, and the priest left, leaving Richard Smith's grave in a mess.
• Clara, who was still lying in Mason's arms, woke up when the cold rain landed on her face.
• Opening her eyes, she saw Mason anxiously stroking her cheek, softly calling, "Leslie, Leslie."
• She quickly grasped Mason's fingers, and Mason exclaimed in delight, "Are you awake?"
• Clara nodded repeatedly, sitting up from Mason's embrace.
• "Are you okay?"
• Clara shook her head again. After she helped him up from the ground, they stopped at Richard's grave.
• She took Mason's hand and placed it on the tombstone. Mason's rain-soaked fingers trembled as he moved downwards, touching Richard's photo.
• He kneeled in front of Richard's grave while calling out, "Grandpa, I was late ... "
• Clara found an umbrella on the ground and opened it, shielding Mason's head.
• In truth, Mason was already drenched, and he was unable to distinguish between rain and tears on his face.
• His sorrowful yet determined gaze pierced through the layers of rain.
• No matter how strong the storm, Clara firmly held onto the umbrella. Deep in her heart, she silently vowed to cure Mason and restore his sight.
• Matt waited until Tyler's men left before rushing over. Mason didn't want him to show up, but Matt had seen everything from the shadows and couldn't hold back anymore.
• "Mr. Smith," Matt cried, "Tyler's a monster, beating you like this. Mrs. Smith got hurt too."
• "Is she badly hurt?" Mason asked hoarsely.
• Clara immediately shook her head at Matt although she was actually quite injured. Her back must be bruised, and she had scraped her forehead when she fell earlier.
• Matt choked back tears and replied, "She's okay."
• "Matt."
• "Yes?"
• "Take her back to the car first. I'll stay with my grandfather for a while."
• "Got it." Matt helped Clara leave the graveyard.
• As they reached the gate, Clara looked back.
• Mason was still kneeling upright, like a pine tree that no storm could break.