Chapter 9

Meanwhile, some of the Unbreakables set out on a mission.

They had compiled a list of everyone who had tormented Leona and Danielle over the past three years based on the confessions of the surviving members of the Whitney family.

The list included the children of prominent families and a few local thugs.

The Unbreakables went door-to-door, seeking out each name on the list.

Their action sparked a fierce outrage among St. Merilo's elites.

Once seen as a worthless man, Matthias had transformed into a formidable force.

In the three years since his disappearance, he had returned with unknown allies to capture Gerald and even dared challenge other families!

Was he trying to provoke the entire city?

Some of the more impulsive youngsters wanted to storm the Whitney residence and punish Matthias for his arrogance. However, their elders held them back.

They did not fear Matthias but believed the Vaughn family was already furious.

It was better to let the Vaughn family handle Matthias and his men, allowing them to vent their rage.

Any interference from others might steal the Vaughn family's vengeance and lead to their long-term resentment.

In the eyes of the St. Merilo elite, Matthias was as good as dead already, and they wondered what type of torture he would suffer before his fall.

At the Vaughn estate in St. Merilo.

Broken furniture lay scattered across the floor in the Vaughn estate's grand hall.

A dozen or so figures stood nervously in the wreckage, each of them trembling under the weight of Horace's fury.

Horace roared, "Argh! Useless bunch of fools! You've been under my care for so many years. Yet, you couldn't even protect my only son!"

His face twisted into a mask of fury as he hurled a priceless antique vase across the room, shattering it into pieces.

Horace and his mother were visiting her family, the Stoermers. He had hoped to discuss ways to secure more resources for the Vaughn family.

When he heard that Gerald had been captured at the hospital, he rushed back to St. Merilo.

When Horace reached home, he received news that his only son had been humiliated and left hanging upside down at the gates of the Whitney residence.

How could that not enrage him?

That was St. Merilo, his territory!

He was the king of St. Merilo, and everyone would have to bow to him!

Yet there he was, forced to witness his precious son treated like a criminal right under his nose.

"Get out there and gather all our men! Bring Gerald back at once! I want those who hurt him to pay with their lives!"

Horace's eyes blazed with anger as he stared down the people in the hall.

His fury was barely contained; his hands clenched into fists as he spoke.

Horace's trusted aide, Forrest Vaughn, tried to intervene and said, "Let's not do anything recklessly! They took Gerald at dawn, and it was already too late by the time we got the news!"

Hoping to calm Horace, he quickly added, "And it's daytime right now. The authorities are strictly regulating public brawls. You know how they've been cracking down on the underworld lately!

"Besides, those guarding Gerald last night were all powerful men, but all of them died! Matthias' men must be extraordinary!"

"Motherfucker!" Horace cursed as he smashed a teacup against Forrest's head.

Blood streamed down Forrest's face, but he remained silent, only bowing his head in respect.

"So you're saying I should watch as my only son gets humiliated?"

Horace's face turned a deep red, his eyes bloodshot with rage.

"Matthias is just a worthless man who married into the Whitneys! He's nothing in my eyes, yet he dares to take my son? How dare he!"

Horace's voice was a low growl, his anger a palpable force that filled the room.

In the hall, Horace's men were angry and confused.

They could not fathom how someone as useless as Matthias, who had been missing for three years, could have amassed such a formidable group of followers.

Forrest said, "River has already gone to the Whitney residence. His intervention should at least make Matthias wary, and there's a chance he might release Gerald!

"River and I suspect that Matthias must have some powerful backing. Otherwise, a useless fool like him would never have dared to challenge the Vaughns!"

Three years ago, everyone in St. Merilo had known Matthias as a nobody who married into the Whitney family, a figure who was the subject of countless jokes.

Hence, when Horace's men learned that Matthias was behind Gerald's capture, they were convinced something was amiss!

They believed a hidden force must have manipulated Matthias into defying the Vaughn family!

"Well, well, well! You've done it, Matthias!" Horace growled through gritted teeth.

His eyes burned with fierce determination as he said, "No matter who's backing this trash, I want them dead!

"Spread the word! Gather all available forces and surround the Whitney residence. When night falls, we'll wipe out the entire Whitney family!

"I want to see who's bold enough to challenge me in St. Merilo!"

The Vaughn family's extensive network of influence began to mobilize.

The Vaughn family was like the ruling power in St. Merilo, with their forces spread throughout the city.

When the Vaughn family called upon their full strength, it was like unleashing a tidal wave, crushing anyone who dared oppose them.

Nonetheless, neither the Vaughn family nor the other noble families of St. Merilo anticipated how formidable their opponent was!

As a sleek black luxury car pulled up to the entrance outside the Whitney residence, a bald, middle-aged man stepped out of the vehicle.

His face twisted into a fierce expression as he surveyed the scene.

"How dare you!"

The man instantly charged forward to stop the Unbreakables from torturing Gerald.

Yet, before he could take more than a few steps, one of the four Unbreakables stationed at the gate moved to block his way.

The two collided in a clash of strength.

The bald man staggered back a few steps while the Unbreakable guard remained firmly in place.

The bald man was River Vaughn, one of Horace's most trusted aides and a powerful fighter.

He was stunned that a mere guard was so much stronger than him!