Chapter 407

Seeing the situation take a dire turn, the old woman clutched the old man's sleeve desperately.

"Old man! What are you doing? Sean is our only grandson!" She had thought he was just bluffing to scare off the loan sharks.

But now, it was clear he meant every word.

"I said I won't interfere, and I won't! If you're so capable, you handle it!" The old man shook her off and paced the room, hands behind his back. "You've shielded him from every mistake since he was a child, and now look—he's turned into a hopeless gambler!"

The old woman stamped her foot in frustration. "But we can't just let them break his leg!"

"A broken leg is better than getting himself killed someday!" The old man slammed his palm on the table. "Five thousand dollars—if you can come up with it, go ahead!"

The bottle of premium liquor on the table was nearly empty. He gave it a regretful shake—his prized vintage, saved for years.

The old woman gasped, her vision darkening as she collapsed to the floor.

"Woman!" The old man hurriedly lifted her onto the bed, pressing hard on her philtrum to revive her.

Just as she regained consciousness, a bloodcurdling scream tore through the courtyard.

"Ah—!"

The dull thud of a heavy club striking flesh followed.

"Move out! We'll be back for the money tomorrow!" The loan sharks cursed as they left.

The old woman sprang up like a fish leaping from water, her movements sharper than any young person's.

Only then did Sean's parents dare emerge from their room.

In the courtyard, Sean lay unconscious, his right leg twisted at an unnatural angle. A bloodstained wooden club lay beside him.

"My boy!" The old woman threw herself over him, wailing.

Sean's mother's legs gave way, and she crumpled to the ground.

"Stop that crying!" the old man roared, his eyes red. "Where was all this bravery earlier? Go fetch the doctor, now!"

Sean's father wiped his tears. "Dad, his uncle—"

"Shut your mouth!" The old man kicked over a stool. "His uncle isn't his father! If you had any spine, why didn't you pay his debt earlier?"

By the time the village doctor arrived, Sean had regained consciousness. His screams during the bone-setting echoed through half the village.

"If this leg doesn't heal properly, he'll limp for life," the doctor warned before leaving.

Night deepened, and the courtyard was filled with nothing but stifled sobs. The old man squatted on the doorstep, puffing steadily on his pipe.

Moonlight glinted coldly off the bloodstained club.