Chapter 1361
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Chapter 1361
As dawn broke, Adrian led them to the Glimmering Tower.
It was then that Carissa realized they weren’t the only ones who had arrived–many guild leaders and elders were present as well. Even Violet and Bun’s mentor had come.
When Violet spotted her mentor Conrad, she gasped in surprise and rushed toward him. “Sage Conrad, what brings you here? You didn’t even send word beforehand!”
Conrad smiled warmly as he looked at his beloved apprentice, indulgence in his voice. “I heard you were guarding the capital. Naturally, I had to come and lend you a hand.”
“Sage Conrad, you’re too kind. I’ll get another villa for you once we’re done here,” Violet said, linking her arm with his, grinning widely.
Conrad scowled lightly, feigning annoyance. “Why would I need more villas from you? No more, I tell you. However, I did hear about a hot spring at Solitude Peak. I thought of buying it, so your fellow apprentices can soak and strengthen their bodies.”
Violet nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll buy it!”
Everyone looked at Conrad with envious eyes. Most mentors fed and clothed their apprentices, sometimes even providing them with fine weapons.
But Conrad? He was living a life off his apprentice’s generosity.
And he was doing so with such shameless ease!
As the morning light filtered through the windows, Hayden stepped out of his study. Having stayed up all night, his face looked worn and tired–after all, he was getting older and couldn’t handle sleepless nights.
Seeing “Gordon” still standing guard at the door, he let out a short laugh. “Returned defeated, I see.”
Gordon lowered his gaze. “Your Highness, will you be heading out today?”
“No, go back to your duties,” Hayden replied flatly.
Yet, Nicholas didn’t leave. He stood steadfastly beside him.
Hayden’s gaze turned cold. “If you have questions, ask them.”
Nicholas lifted his head. “Did you already know that Adrian and the others have come to the capital? Who passed on the news? It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak–it’ll come out in the end.”
The Shadow Guard who had been watching over Hayden last night had vanished, and the faint scent of blood still lingered in the study. There were no signs of a struggle, suggesting a quick, fatal blow.
Nicholas had a good idea of who might be behind it.
Hayden’s eyes flared with fury. “Go ahead and kill them. If they don’t die now, they’ll die later. It’s better to kill them all, so you won’t use them to threaten me again. I might as well die right along with them.”
Nicholas sighed. “Must you speak that way, Dad? I meant no harm. I only wanted to ask–if you say it, won’t everything be settled? That way, no one below you will have to suffer.”
Without warning, Hayden swung his palm and struck Nicholas across the face. His voice thundered with anger. How dare you speak to me like this? What kind of shamelessness is this? How could your mom and I have raised
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such a wretch?”
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Nicholas didn’t dodge or flinch from the slap. His expression remained unchanged. “You’ve struck me and cursed me, Dad. Now, please go ahead and say what you must.”
As he spoke, he raised his hand, and two people dragged in Sonny.
Sonny was unconscious, his face badly swollen and disfigured. Blood trickled from his mouth, and his legs were twisted in unnatural angles, both clearly broken.
Hayden’s breath caught, his fury deepening, and the slap be delivered to Nicholas‘ face became even more forceful. “You ungrateful child! You grew up on Sonny’s shoulders! How dare you do this to him?!”
Despite the bruise swelling on his cheek, Nicholas maintained his calm demeanor. “That’s why I didn’t kill him. Perhaps death is the best release, but Sonny should be alive. Whether he lives in peace or agony depends on your decision, Dad.”
Hayden closed his eyes, his heart filled with a mix of rage and sorrow.
After a long silence, he swallowed the bitter taste of blood rising in his throat and said woodenly, “Adrian came to me when I was relieving myself.”
Nicholas furrowed his brow. Could Adrian really come and go so freely, even with the Shadow Guards present? He had clearly underestimated the guild leader.
“What did he say?” Nicholas asked.
Hayden’s tone turned icy. “He Carissa.”
ed to know your plans. I told him you were likely planning to assassinate Lady
“That’s all?” Nicholas‘ disbelief was evident. “Where is your emblem, Dad? Hand it over. I’ll keep it safe for you.” Hayden’s expression flickered with surprise. “What would you do with my emblem?”
“I won’t do anything,” Nicholas replied. “I just wish to keep it for you. After all, your emblem is as good as mine.” He moved toward Sonny, gently wiping away the blood on his lips with his sleeve. His gaze darkened. “Sonny needs a physician. He should receive proper treatment.”
Hayden took the emblem out from his chest pocket and threw it harshly on the ground. “Take it, and get lost!”
Nicholas picked it up, inspecting it carefully to confirm it was the real thing. Satisfied, he gestured with his hand. “Well then, hurry up and get Sonny the help he needs.”
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