Betrayed By Blood

John didn’t have even a sliver of Bran’s backbone.

He immediately burst into loud wailing sobs, crying out for his mom and dad.

I sent a message to my contact, asking about Bran’s recent situation.

The contact replied, saying my wife, Celina O’Neil and my younger brother, Andy, had already arranged for Bran’s direct admission—no need for exams, just to show up when the semester starts.

Yet I had just heard John, Andy's son, siding with outsiders to bully my son Bran.

I asked coldly, “This is how you handle logistical support? Expect a formal complaint to headquarters.”

After hanging up, I grabbed John by the collar and slapped him twice across the face.

“Why did you tear up Bran’s admission letter?” I demanded.

Snot and tears smeared his face as he stammered, “He scored over 600 points more than I did! I was humiliated, okay? I just wanted to vent!”

Just then, a bright red Porsche pulled up at the school gates.

John shouted excitedly, “Mom! Mom, help me! This lunatic just attacked me out of nowhere!”

I hadn’t expected to reunite with Celina under these circumstances.

She was decked out in flashy, gaudy clothes, glittering with jewelry.

Teetering on blood-red heels, she charged at me like a raging bull.

“Let go of my son!” she roared.

Her son?

I looked more closely at John.

No doubt about it—this kid had always had that weaselly, rat-faced look since childhood.

Since when had John become her son?

I blocked her chubby hand as she tried to scratch at me, and she lost her balance, falling hard to the ground.

“Useless,” John muttered under his breath disdainfully.

Then Bran stepped forward and helped her up, but Celina jabbed a stubby finger at Bran’s forehead.

“Can’t you stop stirring up trouble? Why do you always have to pick on your little brother, huh?

“You have food on the table, books to read, and I get to enjoy the good life—all thanks to Andy, isn’t it?” Celina snapped.

“Every time the school calls home, it’s either because you stole a watch or tore up John's homework!

“So what if he retaliated this once?

“You’re just like your useless, dead father!”

Bran stiffened.

“My dad is a hero. One day, he’ll come back for me!” he said sharply.

Celina spat at the ground.

“Your dead father? He’s long gone! Give it up. He’s never coming back!”

Fury surged through me.

I yanked Celina’s arm and dragged her in front of me, slapping her hard.

“You filthy woman! Look me in the face. Don’t you know who I am?

“I risked my life out there, building the fortune you’re squandering now.

“You want to chase men? Fine. But why get with Andy? And why treat Bran like dirt?”

Celina stared at me in shock as she scanned me up and down, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Then her expression twisted. She screamed, “Help! This man’s trying to abduct us! Call the police!

“Quick! Contact my husband—someone’s trying to kidnap me and my son!”

Bran looked me over, head to toe, his voice trembling as he tested the word, “Dad?”

Celina lashed out and kicked him. “Nonsense! Your real father’s long dead. You should see Andy as your father now!”

“Uncle Andy is using you!” Bran roared back.

“The whole family leeches off Dad's legacy! You think they respect you?”

Just then, several black vans pulled up one after another in front of the school, and a swarm of bodyguards stepped out, surrounding me with cold, menacing eyes.