Chapter 5

After we completely fell out, the Smiths became even more brazen. Not only did they hold a wedding for the two of them, but they also went around telling anyone who would listen that the child was the heir to the Smith family. The entire high society mocked me for being cuckolded because I'd married a woman only to end up with a ready-made family of three.

There were also people who were puzzled. "Nalani gave up a billionaire for a deadbeat who drinks, gambles, and frequents brothels. What does she even see in him?"

Unable to swallow the humiliation, Nalani maliciously spread rumors. "What do I see in him? He can make babies! Hugo's impotent; he's all show and no go!"

Before I could explode, my secretary, Aria Thatcher, stammered out that Nalani had brought a horde of people to surround Henry's inpatient building. Not only had they blocked off the fire escapes, but they were also carrying cans of kerosene.

I slammed my foot on the gas and raced to the hospital, only to be intercepted at the main entrance. Toss-and-catching baseball bats in their hands, those men smirked maliciously. "Ms. Smith said dogs are allowed in, but Hugo isn't!"

Holding my gaze, he added, "Mr. Chandler, if you really want to get in, you have to go through here!" He crouched down and pointed between his legs.

"Tell her to get her ass out here!" I gritted out.

As soon as my words fell, she sauntered out, admiring her freshly done nails before glancing sideways at me and sneering, "I can't believe you're still putting on airs at a time like this. Keep fronting, and you'll be collecting your brother in a body bag!"

"Nalani Smith, your family won't be able to handle the consequences of hurting him!" I spat out.

Nalani snickered and responded sarcastically, "Oh, I'm so scared…"

Then, she rose onto her tiptoes and lightly patted my cheek. "However, everything your family has today is thanks to mine. If my family falls, do you really think yours can survive? He dared to hit me, so he deserves to pay the price!"

I flung her hand away and snarled, "Cut the crap!"

"Why don't you start a livestream, drop to your knees, and apologize to me? Hand over all your family's assets as compensation, and I'll let him go," she sighed.

Blood rushed to my head in an instant, and my voice trembled with rage. "If my baby brother loses even a single stand of hair, your entire family will pay with their lives!"

My head was violently struck to the side. Nalani grabbed me by the hair, her eyes filled with venom. "I hate that stupid look on your face when you make empty threats the most, Hugo Chandler!"

Then, she thrust a video right in front of my face. A single look was all it took for my eyes to burn hot with tears.

Henry, who had always been as proud and unyielding as a prince, was being dragged across the ground on a leash. The iron collar chafed against his neck as they yanked him forward, grinding into his skin until it was a bloody, mangled mess.

Those people even cracked a whip and ordered him to bark like a dog. He clenched his teeth and stubbornly refused to make a sound.

Lash after lash rained down on his tightly sealed mouth. It shredded his lips, exposing the raw, crimson flesh beneath.

My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as a roar tore from my throat. "Let him go! If you have a problem with me, take it out on me!"

Nalani yanked my hair, forcing me to look up at her. "Aren't you two supposed to be brothers who would do anything for each other? Since he refuses to bark like a dog, why don't you do it instead?"

She flicked her wrist, and someone handed her a dog collar and leash. "Put this on and bark three times like a dog, and I'll let him go! You'll still be the richest man afterward! You'll be the first billionaire in Brimstone to bark like a dog!"

Laughter erupted all around us. The onlookers clapped their hands and chanted in unison, "Hurry up and bark!"

I glanced sideways at her, as if I was looking at a foolish dog that had no idea its death was near. I had spoiled her too much in the past, so much so that she forgot the Smiths were nothing more than ants I could crush underfoot at any moment.

When I heard the roar of an aircraft overhead, I kicked Nalani to the ground and issued my order in a cold, commanding voice. "I want the Smiths wiped off the face of the earth in three days!"