CH-18. A Warm Dinner Turns Into Chaos

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After teasing Mary, Peter and the others entered the dining hall and sat at the dining table. Peter found himself seated between May and Madeline, which brought a smug satisfaction to his heart.

'This feels good.' He thought, savoring the moment. On one side was his beautiful, affectionate aunt, with whom he shared a very special and intimate relationship, and on the other was his future mother-in-law, an equally stunning woman who had already developed a fondness for him.

As everyone settled in, Mary's eyes narrowed when she noticed her mother holding Peter's hand, smiling warmly at him. A small frown appeared on her face.

"Mom, why are you sitting beside Peter?" She asked, her tone laced with a hint of jealousy.

Madeline blinked in surprise, tilting her head slightly, "Huh? What's wrong with it? He's my future son-in-law." She replied, looking genuinely confused.

Only May and Peter fully understood what was happening, but Peter decided to remain silent, enjoying the subtle tension in the air.

"Oh my~ Mary, are you jealous of your mother?" May teased, covering her mouth with her hand, her voice dripping with amusement, "You're really naughty~"

"N-No! There's nothing like that!" Mary stammered, her cheeks burning red. Embarrassed, she quickly sat down beside Gale, who had been silently watching the show, occasionally stealing glances at Peter.

Madeline, now realizing how close she had gotten to Peter, quickly pulled her hand back, letting out an awkward laugh. "O-Oh, hahaha…" A light blush adorned her cheeks, making her look even more charming.

Soon, dinner was served, and the atmosphere became lively as everyone engaged in conversations. May and Madeline took the lead, exchanging childhood stories about Mary and Peter.

The more Madeline heard about Peter's past, the more her heart swelled with warmth. He was kind, responsible, and, most importantly, someone who would take care of her daughter. But what made her even happier was the fact that she liked Peter—a lot. He had an aura that was both gentle and strong, a man easy to approach but also someone who could protect those he cared about.

On the other side, Peter and Gale were also getting along well. At first, Gale had been a bit skeptical about him, but as they talked, she started seeing him in a completely new light. In just a short while, they had become like old friends, laughing and joking together.

Meanwhile, Mary was listening to everything, occasionally joining the conversation when she got the chance.

Just as they were all enjoying the dinner…

Ding! Dong!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

A loud, impatient knocking followed the doorbell, making everyone pause. The sudden interruption sent a chill down Madeline's spine, her body stiffening.

A man's voice echoed through the house, filled with anger.

"Madeline! Madeline!"

"Open this fucking door, Madeline!"

The color drained from Madeline, Mary, and Gale's faces. They knew that voice.

It was Phillip.

Madeline's husband and Mary and Gale's father.

"Hey! Open this fucking door!"

His furious shouting sent shivers through the room other than Peter.

Madeline's breathing became erratic. Fear gripped her chest as she quickly stood up, her hands trembling. Without thinking, she rushed toward the door, her daughters right behind her.

Peter, however, moved ahead, leading the way. His expression was unreadable.

The moment Madeline unlocked and pulled the door open, a slap came flying toward her face.

"What took you so long, you bitch—"

Smack!

Or at least, that's what should have happened.

Madeline, her eyes squeezed shut, braced herself for the impact. She expected pain, humiliation… but it never came.

Cautiously, she opened her eyes.

Her breath hitched.

Phillip's raised hand had been caught mid-air—by another hand.

"Peter!" Madeline gasped.

Phillip's furious eyes locked onto Peter.

"You! Who the hell are yo—Argh!" But before Phillip could complete the sentence—In a blink, Peter grabbed Phillip by the throat and lifted him off the ground as if he weighed nothing.

"Urghhh—!"

Phillip's legs kicked wildly in the air. His hands clawed at Peter's arm, but it was useless.

Peter's eyes burned with cold fury. His grip tightened around Phillip's throat, his fingers digging into the skin.

For Phillip, the man before him no longer looked human. Peter's entire aura had shifted—dark, oppressive, and terrifying. It was as if death itself was holding him.

His instincts screamed at him.

This wasn't a man. This was a monster. A demon.

"I should kill you!" Peter growled, his voice deeper, darker—unnatural.

Phillip's body convulsed in pure terror.

"Peter! You don't have to do this!" Madeline's trembling hands grabbed his arm, her eyes pleading.

"That's right, Peter! Stop it!" Mary joined in, desperately trying to push his arm down.

Only two people stood still.

May and Gale.

May observed everything quietly, her sharp eyes studying Peter. She had seen him before, but this was different. This wasn't just strength. This was pure, unfiltered rage.

And Gale… Gale was mesmerized.

To her, Peter wasn't a monster.

He was a hero.

For as long as she could remember, she had despised her father. He was a pathetic, abusive man who had only brought pain to their lives.

But now, watching Peter overpower him so effortlessly, she felt something stir inside her.

Something warm.

Something new.

Sensing the tension in the air, May finally stepped forward.

"Peter, stop." She said firmly.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried weight.

Hearing May, Mary and Madeline's voices.

He let go.

Thud!

Phillip crashed onto the floor, gasping for air.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

His body trembled violently. He had never felt this kind of terror before.

Peter leaned down, his voice now low and demonic.

His eyes glowed dark red for a split second.

"Run."

Phillip froze.

"Run as far as you can."

Peter's tone was chilling, each word dripping with an unspoken promise of death.

"And don't ever come back here."

He leaned in closer.

"Or I will kill you in the most painful way possible."

Phillip's body moved before his brain could even process the words.

He scrambled to his feet, his face contorted in terror. His legs stumbled, his breath ragged, but he ran—he ran as fast as he could, disappearing into the night like a coward.

As the door slammed shut, silence filled the house.

Peter turned around and found himself facing four pairs of eyes.

Each woman was looking at him differently.

May's lips curled into a knowing smirk. She was happy seeing him helping Mary and her family.

Madeline's eyes were filled with tears, she was feeling relieved but at the same time she was feeling bad that Peter has to see something like this—and inside her heart there was something else, a new emotion was building.

Mary's expression was a mix of relief and emotional. Not only Peter gave her powers, loved her but even helped her solve her family problems.

And Gale…

She was staring at him with admiration, her cheeks slightly flushed.