“I never told you to kneel, Dylan said flatly, shoving Matthew away with a firm hand.
Between the two of them, Dylan had always been stronger.
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He picked up the axe and turned back toward the tree trunk he’d dragged home that morning. His thatched hut wasn’t sturdy enough, barely licable. He’d been gathering lumber to rebuild it properly–this particular log would’ve made the perfect central beam.
Seeing Dylan go about his work like they didn’t exist made his blood boll. He stepped forward and planted his foot squarely on the log, then yanked the axe out of Dylan’s hand.
“If you don’t give us an answer today, he snapped, “then forget finishing this stupid shack. I’m not letting you touch this log again.
“I don’t know what you want from me,” Dylan said, his face blank. “And whatever it is, I’m not giving it. So go. Hand me back the axe and stop wasting my time. I have work to do, and none of it involves either of you.”
“Work, work, work. I’ll show you work.” Matthew finally lost it. He swung the axe down with a loud crack, driving it into the center of the log
“Stop!” Dylan roared.
Matthew dodged Dylan’s outstretched arm and brought the axe down again.
“I said stop!” Dylan growled, grabbing him by the collar and ripping the axe out of his hands. He shoved Matthew aside and rushed back to his lumber–but it was too late. Two careless strikes had already split the log. It was ruined.
Fury boiled in Dylan’s chest. He hurled the axe aside, charged straight at Matthew, and punched him square in the face.
“You think I care about this damn house? Who gave you the right to touch my things?”
Matthew had already been on edge, and now that Dylan had actually hit him‘ He lost it.
The two of them went at it hard–fist for fist, blow for blow. They tore into each other until their faces were black and blue, even knocking down part of Dylan’s thatched roof in the scuffle.
Seeing his house collapse made Dylan even more furious. He pounded on Matthew harder.
“You’re seriously going all out?!” Matthew cried, feeling like Dylan was about to knock his teeth out.
He doubled down too. They were seconds from biting each other when Anthony, finally fed up, threw two small vials of muscle–numbing powder into the air.
Matthew groaned, breathless. Seriously, Anthony? Couldn’t you have thrown that stuff before my jaw got cracked? And why’d you knock me out too?!“.
He’d landed hard–nearly right on the leg that was still bound in a brace. Dylan had been careful during the fight not to hit that leg, but everything else? Total warzone. Both of them were covered in bruises, scraped, and bleeding
Dylan sat up, wincing. “Shit.” Matthew had blood running from his mouth, but Dylan’s lip? Swollen like a balloon.
“Son of a Dylan hissed, scowling at Anthony. “Fine. You’ve stopped the fight. Now give us the antidote
But Anthony didn’t move.
Instead, he smiled politely. “Sorry, Dylan. Before we came, Father gave us instructions. If you still refused to help Sophie,
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Chapter 222
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then we were to bring you back by force–and let him convince you
Dylan froze.
His voice dropped to a chilling quiet. “I’m not going back.”
Anthony shook his head. “We gave you a chance, Dylan. But this isn’t your choice anymore.”
Dylan laughed coldly. “A chance? You mean a chance to betray my sister? That’s what you’re calling
Anthony’s expression hardened. “Eliza’s name was already removed from the family tree. She’s not our sister anymore. You are still on it. And so is Sophie. So she’s your only sister now–our only family.”
“Shut your mouth!” Dylan snapped.
His voice was raw with fury as he dragged his heavy limbs upright, glaring at Anthony like he wanted to burn him alive.
“Eliza and I share the same mother. We are blood–real siblings. You want to call Sophie your sister? Fine. Go ahead. But leave me out of it. I only have one sister in this world. Her name is Eliza.”
Anthony’s eyes turned cold. “I didn’t expect you to be so heartless toward Sophie. You’ve really disappointed me, Dylan.” He looked down at his half–paralyzed brother, tone as chilling as ever. “I don’t know what kind of poison Eliza’s fed you and Benedict, but it’s fine. Once I bring you back, I’ll fix both of you. I’ll make you see the truth.”
Dylan’s heart sank. He didn’t know what Anthony was planning, but the look in his eyes sent a cold shiver down his spine.
“If you
dare drug me or pull any of your twisted stunts,” Dylan hissed, “I swear, I will make you pay for it.”
Anthony simply smiled. “Don’t worry, Dylan. I won’t hurt you.”
Then he clapped twice. Two guards stepped out of the shadows, lifted both Dylan and Matthew like sacks, and hauled them. into a waiting carriage.
As the wheels began to roll, the sound of hoofbeats echoed across the dirt road. Just like that, Dylan was being dragged back to the Stonor estate.
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