Winner Takes All

Madam Hughes had fallen asleep after a night of heavy drinking.

Carter and Killian’s arms were around each other as they raised their glasses in celebration. In their inebriated state, they dispensed with the usual formality maintained between the elder and younger generations.

Killian looked outside as the day broke and stretched his back. Not only didn’t he feel tired from the night’s drinking, he felt that he was alert and in high spirits.

He was excited, elated, and a sure winner now. With Jack’s death, his talent, and Madam Hughes’ support, he was bound to become the next head of the Hughes family! Now he only needed to wait patiently for Patrick’s birthday. That would be the day that he rose to become the head of the family.

Killian could even imagine the grandeur of that day’s event. The glory and the attention that he received on that day would be second to none. There would be countless social elites and champions of industries who would attend. Just imagining the power that he would inherit was enough to make his head dizzy.

His cell phone beeped with an incoming message.

Killian picked up his phone for a look and then his eyes lit up and said, “Have a good rest, Uncle Carter. It’s daybreak and I should be going home now.”

Killian stood up slowly and he shook his tipsy head as he staggered out of the mansion. Carter looked drowsily at Killian who was walking away.

Until Killian was nowhere to be seen, Carter scoffed and narrowed his eyes sinisterly as he mumbled, “Happy, I’m really… happy!”

In the small courtyard, Ivy felt unsettled and surprised as she looked at the approaching George. How could George penetrate Jack’s protection, kill him and return unscathed? This was the first time Ivy looked at George with such scrutiny. Imagine that when Jack was being targeted by the dark net assassin squad, the top killers on the Azrael list were unable to kill Jack but George was able to do it! Just this alone was able to set George apart from the rest!

sat on the wheelchair and

returned to the Hughes

continued, “He made me impersonate grandmother to demand your return in

back?” George’s

stumbled in. His bespectacled eyes radiated brightly when he saw George. He stumbled quickly towards George and said happily, “Brother, I’m so happy

Killian’s open arms and refused his hug. The atmosphere turned awkward immediately. Killian was stunned and Ivy

you

behalf of Madam Hughes. But his

you were still outside, you won’t be able to escape the wrath of the head of the family? Since you sneaked away when you left the residence, you can similarly sneak home now. Once you are home, Jack’s death would have nothing to do with you and you will be safe.” Killian said

you back? How much am I shouldering for you? If this was to be exposed, I will have to shoulder everything!” Killian almost yelled in fury but

had taken a huge risk to provide a lifeline for George only to get such treatment from George. Wasn’t that ungrateful of George for Killian’s act of kindness? Furthermore, Killian said that he was willing to accept all the blame had this been exposed but it was clear to Ivy that when that happened, she would not go scot-free. But even at the risk of being punished, she

back, he did not

at the furious Killian and Ivy. He suddenly shook his head and laughed, “Kill? Who told you that

laughter

both looked at George with their

turned sober and his face was filled with horror and disbelief as he