Take Him Away, Make Him Work

Only a few minutes later, the maid returned with four bottles of the same healing potion and a wooden box.

At Channis's gesture, Barbier took the items from the maid and walked towards Glen.

He deliberately slowed his pace, turning over countless thoughts in his mind:Should I strike while his guard is down?Not knowing the enemy's true strength made it too risky, and Lavell's life was at stake…

Glancing at Lavell lying on the ground, then at Glen, Barbier noticed the latter had no signs of being on guard. This wasn't something that made Barbier underestimate him; instead, it added more pressure.

In the end, Glen easily accepted the items without any surprise. Barbier didn't dare make a move.

Opening the box, Glen found a bag of gold coins and several neatly arranged glass vials filled with liquid. Recognizing it as a lesser grade of healing potion, Glen nodded in approval.

"Is it settled now? Please return our son," Channis pleaded again, holding Sophia in his arms.

Glen didn't answer immediately, instead casting a second look at Lavell.

The young man was still trembling, but Glen could clearly see the hatred and malice hidden in his eyes. It was a look that was all too familiar to him from his past life. The curly-haired boy wasn't fooling anyone with his acting.

"No," Glen said, his lips parting to reject the noble's request.

At this, Lavell's terror escalated, a wave of overwhelming fear clouding his mind.

"Why?!" Channis shouted in anguish, almost losing his grip on reason. "I've given you everything! Why won't you keep your promise?"

"Don't hurt my son!" Sophia also screamed in distress.

"I never promised you anything, noble lord. You need to understand that," Glen replied, his voice rising slightly. "And you can rest assured, I won't take your son's life."

"So…" Channis asked, his voice trembling.

"I will take him with me, make him work for a while. Since you can't control your son, I'll do it for you."

Everyone had considered countless outcomes, but no one had imagined Glen would respond this way. The room fell silent for a moment, the air heavy with disbelief.

"Absolutely not!" Both Channis and Sophia reacted immediately, their voices loud and panicked.

They couldn't bear the thought of their son being taken away by this monster, wondering what horrible things he might make Lavell endure. Lavell was their treasure, a child they had pampered and protected, never daring to raise their hand against him—how could they let someone else take him?

"You need to understand, this is my territory. You came here intending to take my life. The fact that I haven't killed you already shows I'm letting you off because of your deep family bond," Glen's voice grew sharp, his gaze cutting across everyone present. His words were laced with a chilling malice.

The private soldiers and even the hidden assassin felt a sudden shiver run down their spines, a cold unease settling in their hearts.

"How can I trust you won't hurt Lavell?" Channis gathered what little courage he had left to ask.

"Hah... You have no choice. You'll have to listen to me," Glen sneered coldly.

At this point, Sophia fell silent, burying her head in Channis's chest as she wept quietly. She knew there was nothing more she could do.

Channis, now hollow-eyed and numb, looked around the room.

"That's settled then. I'm taking him with me." Glen stretched out his hand toward Lavell.

Realizing what was about to happen, Lavell snapped back to his senses. "Get off me! Don't touch me!" he yelled, but his protest was met with a sharp slap to the face.

Lavell winced in pain and, after a brief moment of stunned silence, allowed Glen to grab his collar and toss him toward the estate's gates.

"Walk obediently, young master Lavell," Glen said, his voice dripping with a subtle threat.

At that moment, Channis seemed to snap out of his stupor, as if realizing something. He shouted, "Wait… wait a minute!"

Glen and Lavell both turned to face him.

"Can you take one more person with you to look after Lavell's well-being?" Channis asked.

"Eh?" Glen raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "Who do you want to take?"

Channis didn't answer right away. Instead, he gestured behind him. "Tia, come here."

A maid with big eyes and a pretty face, dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit, wiped away tears as she walked through the crowd. This was the same maid who had earlier brought the healing potion.

"This is my wife's most trusted maid, and someone we rely on," Channis explained, his posture humble. "I hope you'll take her with you, or we won't be able to rest easy."

Tia lowered her body slightly and said, "Please, take me with you. Young master Lavell needs my care."

Glen immediately studied her, noting the way her body moved, the way her hands were positioned. He could tell she wasn't just an ordinary maid; she likely had considerable skill.

So, this old fool wants someone to "look after" Lavell? If I have him in my hands, this girl will probably be more trouble than help… Glen thought with a snicker, though he didn't outright refuse.

"Fine, but it'll only be her."

As they began to leave, Glen seemed to remember something and turned back.

"By the way, don't even think about spreading word of this," he said, his voice cold and threatening. "I'm not afraid, but I don't like unnecessary trouble. If things get messy, well, that won't be good for anyone."

As he spoke, his eyes briefly locked onto Kulo, who involuntarily flinched.

Satisfied with his subtle intimidation, Glen turned and left.

The large estate fell silent, everyone remaining still as they awaited their master's next command.

"Today's events stay between us," Channis ordered sternly after a long pause.

...

A curly-haired young man and a maid followed behind Glen, both wearing very different expressions.

Lavell gritted his teeth, his face full of reluctance.

Tia, on the other hand, seemed to want to say something but remained silent for now.

"Excuse me..." Tia couldn't help but speak up, her voice shaky.

"Hmm?" Glen turned his head slightly.

Lavell also turned, curious.

"Where are you taking us? Will you hurt the young master?" Tia asked, her voice gaining a hint of courage.

"Hurt him? Of course! If he doesn't behave," Glen replied, a flicker of amusement in his voice.

The response made Lavell's face pale, his steps faltering.

Tia stiffened for a moment, then seemed to grow angrier. "Why are you doing this? Even if Lavell has wronged you, you shouldn't bully him like this."

Glen gave her a lazy glance and scoffed. "Why shouldn't I? They can bully me first, so why can't I return the favor?"

Tia was struck speechless by his words, and after a long pause, she had no reply.

Before she could find the right words, Glen asked another question, "Haven't you been beaten or seen other maids punished while serving these nobles?"

Tia seemed to find her footing and immediately said, "No, no! The lord and lady have bad tempers, but they never hit us!"

4o