Chapter 342 - 341: Monkey Bowing.jpg

Mark Ward froze for a moment, blinking his eyes.

"My... my older brother? He moved to Fairfield years ago. He runs supermarkets there, so he’s a big boss and knows a lot of rich people.

His wife’s name is Joanne Cheney. She’s got a fiery temper and loves to look down her nose at people, especially poor relatives like us. They also have a son, Owen Ward. He’s a smart kid with a great personality—he was even the top scorer in Fairfield’s college entrance exam this year."

After he finished, he stared expectantly at Felix Knight.

Felix Knight raised an eyebrow. "What are you looking at me for? Keep talking. Is that really all you know?"

"Oh, right! He owns several supermarkets, even in the next county. His family’s loaded. Of course, it’s nothing compared to you, sir. As for anything else... I really don’t know anything else. Sir, are you looking for him? I know where he lives. I can take you there!"

Mark Ward said cautiously.

"I don’t need you to. But... is that really all you know?" Felix Knight scoffed.

"It seems I know more than you do. For instance, that gambling den you frequent in town... you just recently paid off your debt, didn’t you? Or how about... your mistress, the widow Allie? I hear you two met at a card table."

’What a dimwit. Not so dim he doesn’t know how to flatter me by putting his brother down, though, is he?’

’And he offers to take me there? As if it’s more than a matter of walking out of this basement and hopping a wall. What’s it got to do with him?’

"MMPH! MMPH!"

The basement was small, so the woman with the inverted-triangle face heard every word Felix said.

She stared at Mark Ward in disbelief, struggling to move closer and kick him.

Felix’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "Ma’am, you’d better save your energy. You can settle your accounts when you get home and close the door. For now, this is my turf."

He then turned back to Mark Ward, the meaning in his eyes unspoken but clear.

"S-Sir, I really don’t know any other secrets! Ken Ward and I were never close, even as kids. He always talked down to me, so besides the fact that he runs supermarkets, I honestly don’t know anything else!

Could you please just give me a hint? Just ask me what you want to know. If I know, I swear I’ll tell you everything!"

Mark Ward was so agitated his dark, tanned face flushed red. He looked like he wanted to drop to his knees before Felix Knight, but with his hands and feet bound, he couldn’t move an inch.

"Don’t get so worked up. A man of your age, why are you still as impulsive as a young hothead? Fine, I’ll do as you ask. Can’t help it, I’m just too considerate, you see?" Felix patted his shoulder soothingly.

"Let me ask you, did Ken Ward and his wife only have one child their whole lives, that... Owen kid?"

"That’s right... Oh, no, wait! They had a daughter before him, named Bridget Walsh. I don’t think she’s much older than Owen Ward!"

Mark Ward nodded subconsciously, but immediately changed his story when he saw the look in Felix’s eyes.

Tina curled her lip disdainfully.

"No wonder they say ’birds of a feather flock together.’ You two brothers really are cut from the same cloth. You even married the same kind of woman. A rotten pot for a rotten lid, as they say.

Bridget, Hope, Leda... If you hadn’t finally managed to have a boy, would you have just kept going with Ada, Faith, Ingrid, Tess, Faye, and Dora?"

Mark Ward gave a guilty, awkward smile. "We’re just simple country folk, not very educated. We just use the names our ancestors left us. Besides, they say a humble name makes for a hardy child... a hardy child..."

"Since you knew he had a daughter, why did you say a moment ago that he only had a son? Hmm?" The pressure from Felix’s hand on his shoulder increased.

"Mark, we’ve been spending time together for a few hours now. We’re practically acquaintances. I thought we were friends, even. For you to do this... it really hurts my feelings, you know?"

Mark Ward grimaced in pain. "Ow, ow, that hurts... Sir, sir! I just... it slipped my mind! My fault, all my fault! Bridget Walsh was sold off a long time ago. Ken Ward has always told everyone he only has one child."

’Who the hell is friends with you?! The kind of friend who kidnaps a family of three?! The kind of friend who breaks my son’s leg?! The kind of friend who digs up all my dirty laundry?! Are you a psycho?!’

Felix released his grip, looking at him with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"How are you so sure she was sold? Do you have any proof? Spreading false rumors is a crime, you know."

"I’m not lying! It’s all true! He used the money from selling Bridget Walsh to start his supermarket business! He even asked me back then if I wanted to sell my two... my two daughters, too. He said he had the connections, but I refused."

Mark Ward was on the verge of a mental breakdown from the torment.

Felix nodded as if in sudden realization, his tone turning persuasive.

"Ah, so that’s how it is. In that case, how about you do something for me? Once it’s done, I’ll let you all go. I’ll even give you double the amount for your son’s medical bills. What do you say?"

"Name it! I’ll do it! Not just one thing, I’d do ten things if you asked!"

Mark Ward agreed without a second thought. Forget double the money; he’d do it even if they didn’t pay him and only let him go.

"It’s very simple. Go to the police station and file a formal report against your brother and his wife for abducting and selling children," Felix said, enunciating each word.

Mark Ward was left speechless for a moment, then he gave an awkward laugh.

"Sir, you can’t be serious. He’s my own brother, after all!"

Felix’s lips curled into an unreadable smile. He drew a pistol from the small of his back and, without even looking, chambered a round and fired in Walter Ward’s direction.

"Ngh!"

The bullet slammed into the concrete floor by Walter Ward’s feet with a loud BANG, startling his wife so badly that her eyes rolled back and she fainted.

"Mark, I never joke. And don’t blame me for reminding you, but my aim isn’t always this bad. Still, no need to rush. There’s plenty of time. You can think it over."

Felix patted his shoulder and stood up.

Seeing Felix about to turn and leave, Mark Ward hurriedly called out to him.

"Sir, I’ll do it! I’ll report him! Just please, spare my family!"

Felix glanced back at him. "Alright. But it’s not time yet. I’m afraid you’ll have to be my guests for a little while longer. I’ll have someone bring you food later."

With that, he left the basement without a backward glance.

"Hey! Sir! Sir!"

Back in the living room on the first floor, Felix flopped onto the sofa and pulled out his phone.

He found his chat with Yvonne Lowell and began to report his progress.

[Boss, negotiations with Mark Ward are complete. Awaiting your next instructions.]

[Additionally, during the negotiation, Walter Ward accidentally fell and broke his leg. This was a failure on my part, and I deeply regret the incident. I am willing to cover his medical expenses out of my own pocket.]

[Sumimasen. [monkey_bowing.jpg]]