The day came for Bran to return to Westmere University.I accompanied him to the train station and, like any ordinary father, helped him settle his luggage with quiet care.I reminded him repeatedly to be good while studying away from home. I told him not to worry about money and that he could spend freely.Just before boarding, he said a quiet "thank you" as he bid me farewell.He had understood that my decision to spare Celina had been for his sake, so he wouldn’t be too heartbroken.The businesses, wealth, and company that Andy once seized from me had all been returned to their rightful owner.I was no longer young. Dangerous missions didn’t suit me anymore.Suddenly, living a peaceful life felt unfamiliar.I went back to managing my old company, continuing in my role as the director.After the old private high school site was repurposed into a seafood market, I took over the lease.I rented the stalls to young people who had graduated but couldn’t yet find suitable jobs.
The Stormbringer’s housemaid hadn’t dared to run.She knew that no matter how far she fled, if she had any connection to Bran’s abuse, I would track her down and drag her back.Fortunately, Bran had spoken a few kind words on her behalf.She had only followed orders, giving him nothing but leftovers.Sometimes, when she saw he hadn’t eaten enough, she’d secretly slip him a toasted bread or two.I was not one to blur the lines between grace and grievance, so I continued to pay her wages.Now, she was responsible for delivering meals to those three bastards.The food standard matched what Bran once received.She didn’t even have to cook. She would just go to Captain Poldark’s canteen and scoop up whatever leftovers remained.I lounged with my legs crossed, casually flicking ash from my cigarette, occasionally glancing at the surveillance feed.Right in front of Celina, John conspired with Andy to kill her first, to lessen the competition for food.Andy’s injuries hadn’t healed
Andy had been captured at the border and dragged back.Because of his selfishness and brazen recklessness, he tainted the liaison officer’s entire career. The officer faced harsh disciplinary action from his superiors, and any hope of promotion had vanished.Of course, none of that justified why Andy returned with multiple broken bones.After all, the liaison officer explained that the border had seen heavy thunderstorms in recent days, the roads were treacherous, and a full-body injury from a fall wasn’t exactly rare.Meanwhile, Bran had started preparing to retake the SAT exam.He hadn’t yet grasped the privileges that came with being the son of someone in power.The admission letter from Westmere University—where he had earned a place on merit—had already been reissued.Even the Military Academy had listed him under the special admissions quota reserved for officials' children.The admissions officer had suddenly shown up at our door.I handed Bran both offers, hoping he wo
Bran had endured so much abuse that Captain Poldark immediately contacted his superiors to initiate an expedited investigation.I decided to take Bran to the temporary residence arranged for us.Meanwhile, the officers reviewing the school’s surveillance footage discovered that many students, under John’s instigation, had deliberately framed Bran, setting him up only to beat him under the pretense of catching him red-handed.The footage also clearly proved Bran’s innocence.Yet the teachers and administrators at the school behaved as though they were collectively blind.They enabled the bullies, becoming their accomplices.It was obvious that the school had rotted from the inside.As for the students who helped torment Bran—well, with the school gone, it seemed a natural thing to erase this chapter of their so-called education.One by one, the teachers involved in bullying Bran were arrested and brought in for questioning.But there were still two key culprits—Andy and Celina—
I pointed at the so-called watchdogs of the school.“They’ve violated school regulations, bullied the son of a decorated war hero, incited chaos, and carried out repeated acts of violence on school grounds.“I want a full investigation. If someone’s guilty, pursue them. No cover-ups, no scapegoats.“I’m not interested in collective punishment. Anyone can file a report. If the claims are verified, the whistleblower’s punishment will be reduced.”I smiled coldly as I turned toward Nathan, who was still in my grasp.“My principle is simple—no villain walks free, and no innocent person should suffer.”Then I lifted Nathan like a sack of trash and hurled him toward the car, giving him a swift kick in the rear as he stumbled.“Keep an eye on him. Don’t let him take the easy way out. I’m not done with him yet. Our score will be settled—slowly.”After tossing him aside, I began walking toward John, who lay trembling, a few ribs clearly broken.He promptly burst into tears.“Don’t com
The school’s security guards had already called the administrators out.One of the so-called leaders, Mr. Nathan Hyde, dressed up in a suit, glared at Bran with contempt.“You’re only here because of Mr. Andy Stormbringer’s influence, yet you’re trying to assault his son? Who can prove it was he who tore your acceptance letter?“You ripped it up yourself and framed him.“And now, you’re fighting at the school gates? This is a serious offense.“Not only are you barred from university this year, but your student record has been wiped. Don’t even think about retrieving your file.“No school will accept you now.“If you still want an education, then get on your knees and lick the dirt off Mr. John Stormbringer’s shoes.“Maybe, just maybe, I’ll consider letting you re-enroll and take next year’s SAT exam.”Seeing that Andy’s bodyguards had already surrounded me, Celina raised her shrill voice and joined in.“You little brat, didn’t you hear what he said? Get on your knees and beg