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Jeremy had never been particularly fond of animals, but ever since he learned about Yvonne’s unusual abilities, he’d found himself eagerly bringing her around creatures of all kinds.
The turning point came the first time he took Yvonne horseback riding. He had Yvonne safely nestled in front of him, and as they galloped along, the horses behind them seemed to catch wind of the excitement, following closely in pursuit.
The scene was like something out of a legend–like a wild stampede. Anyone who didn’t know better might ha thought an earthquake had struck.
At first, Jeremy didn’t realize what was happening. But when he turned to see the spectacle unfolding behind him, every cell in his body was exhilarated.
Behind him, the instructor had already fainted in shock, being revived by the staff.
What was supposed to be a peaceful ride had turned into a wild circus. It was a balancing act, keeping these two little powerhouses from wreaking havoc in the stable.
Luckily, there were no injuries. The horses gradually calmed down, and both Jeremy and Yvonne dismounted safely.
Coincidentally, a staff member had been filming the whole ordeal. Once they were off the horses, they handed over the footage to Jeremy, who, impressed by the video quality, decided to share it on TikTok.
The video went semi–viral, and commenters hailing him as a natural leader, someone with the aura of an ancient general heading into battle.
Jeremy couldn’t contain his delight. He spent sleepless nights replaying the video, reveling in the praise, and showing it to anyone who would listen.
He even badgered Kelvin to get the video shown on a giant 3D screen in Times Square, though, unsurprisingly, Kelvin refused.
Still, that was the moment when a new door opened for Jeremy. He’d never before felt such a deep connection to life and
nature.
The hotel kept several black swans, each worth 20 thousand dollars. They usually swam in the artificial pond, looking very noble. They ignored people and stayed in the center of the pond.
If the guests wanted a photo with the black swans, they had to request food from the staff to catch the birds‘ attention.
Whether or not the swans would approach depended entirely on their mood. Jeremy’s curiosity was piqued when he heard how those swans had such distinct personalities.
He was a man of simple tastes, a lover of the theatrics. Without a second thought, Jeremy grabbed Yvonne’s hand and led her to the pond’s edge, standing there with an imposing presence, as if his aura stretched nearly seven feet tall.
With a casual wave of his hand toward the proud black swans, it was as if a spell had been cast–instantly, they swam toward him as if they had recognized their mother. The staff couldn’t believe their eyes, having never seen such eager swans.
Wherever he went, the swans followed, and Jeremy basked in the flattery. His vanity was thoroughly satisfied. Amidst the awed whispers from bystanders, his smile grew wider.
Kelvin’s gaze hardened as he watched the scene unfold. In an instant, his expression darkened, his jaw tightening as veins in his forehead bulged. As he walked toward them, a palpable tension seemed to follow him, as if the air grew heavier with his restrained anger.
Jeremy felt a chill crawl down his spine as he basked in his triumph. It was a sensation he knew all too well–the suffocating feeling of being caught, like a cold shadow closing in on him, tightening around his chest.
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Chapter 360
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Jeremy’s instincts in situations like this were almost unnervingly accurate. He shifted his gaze, his eyes scanning the surroundings, and when he saw Kelvin silently making his way toward him, his hand jerked reflexively, nearly dropping Yvonne in the process.
Startled, Yvonne tightened her grip on his shirt, but it wasn’t long before she spotted the man walking toward them. Without hesitation, she left Jeremy and ran straight into Kelvin’s arms, joyfully calling out, “Kelvin!”
The boys playing nearby greeted Kelvin as well. Jeremy stood frozen, unable to move, and his whole body was stiff. He watched as Yvonne left his side, and he couldn’t bring himself to speak because he felt guilty,
Kelvin’s face remained as composed as always. He only slightly nodded to the boys before taking Yvonne in his arms. He fixed her disheveled hair gently, his movements soft and fatherly.
But only Jeremy could feel the pressure in the air–the quiet storm of tension, directed at him. He rubbed his nose nervously, lowering his gaze, telling himself inwardly. He thought, ‘I can’t see him, I can’t see him!
His prayers seemed to have worked, as Kelvin didn’t say a word. Instead, he turned away, his voice as calm as a still lake, telling them to return before striding off, carrying Yvonne in his arms.
Jeremy let out a relieved sigh but quickly realized that his relief had come too soon.
Half an hour later, he stood in a private room, head lowered, too afraid to speak. Kelvin’s cold, detached tone sent a chill down his spine.
“Is Yvonne’s ability meant for you to play around like this?”
Jeremy shook his head quickly, his face sincere as he muttered, “No.”
Jeremy thought, ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve received a beating, and this situation is different. I’m scared this time. The pressure’s on, and I can feel it. If Yvonne doesn’t‘ rescue me, I’m not getting out of this one!‘
Just as he was lost in thought, the door to the room suddenly swung open.
Vic stepped inside, immediately sensing the tension in the air. He hesitated for a moment before deciding to make his exit.
“Uh… Kelvin, Richard asked me to check on you. If you’re busy, I can leave.”
He grabbed the doorknob, preparing to leave.
Jeremy, desperately caught in the middle of a scolding, shot a frantic look at him, silently mouthing two words.
Save me-
Being brothers, they shared an unspoken understanding. Jeremy could see that Vic had picked up on the silent plea, but still, after a moment of confusion, he closed the door and left.
What was that about? He’d just stepped out to make a call, and when he returned, the staff mentioned that Jeremy and Kelvin had already left. He didn’t have the slightest clue about what had just happened. He could hardly step in to help now.
Vic thought, ‘Guess there’s no point stressing over it. After all, Jeremy will get his punishment sooner or later.”
.
As those thoughts crossed his mind, a slight twinge of guilt pricked him, but he left the situation behind.
Jeremy’s hopes shattered inside the room as soon as Vic left. He thought, ‘I know I’ve messed up, but this feeling is suffocating. My heart can’t take it. I might pass out to avoid facing Kelvin.
‘Right now, I’m at the hotel so Kelvin might let me off easy. But once we’re home, it will be a whole different story. I’m in for a beating.‘
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Meanwhile, Vic went to find Richard and quickly recounted the scene he’d just witnessed. Upon hearing the details, Richard immediately sprang to his feet, his curiosity getting the best of him.
He mumbled to himself as he made his way toward the room,
“What trouble has Jeremy gotten into this time? He’s causing such a scene, shouting at him in the hotel? No way, if he’s getting a beating, I have to be there to see it,”
