\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a tense family confrontation, Haskell openly strikes Valeria, shocking everyone present, especially their father, Thatch. Valeria is hurt and tearful, pleading for their father to recognize that Haskell has crossed a line. Thatch reacts with anger, condemning Haskell\u2019s behavior and questioning his defiance, emphasizing that losing the use of his legs has not diminished his responsibility or respect within the family.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Haskell remains cold and unrepentant, asserting his importance to the family\u2019s power and success, directly challenging Thatch\u2019s authority. He reminds everyone that the family\u2019s influence depends on his contributions, not just on their father or Draven. Despite Draven\u2019s attempts to calm the situation, Haskell threatens that everything Thatch possesses could be taken away as long as he lives. He then leaves, mentioning a chess game with their grandfather and taunting Draven for not playing with him.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once outside, Haskell instructs Crispin to secretly investigate the relationship between Thatch and Valeria, suspecting something suspicious. He reflects on a past prophecy and begins to suspect a darker, more calculated plot involving family betrayal, inheritance, and possibly an assassination attempt. Haskell is puzzled by Thatch\u2019s unusual affection for Valeria, an adopted daughter of only three years, and starts to plan his next move in the complex and dangerous family dynamics.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The sharp crack reverberated through the stillness of the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh!\u201d Valeria gasped, her voice trembling with shock. She had never imagined that Haskell would have the audacity to strike her so openly, especially in front of their father.<\/p>\n
Draven sprang up from his seat, his face mirroring the disbelief that gripped the room.<\/p>\n
Thatch\u2019s expression darkened, thunderous and unforgiving. \u201cHaskell, what on earth do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ignoring the storm of anger from his father, Haskell spoke with unsettling calmness. \u201cThat,\u201d he said, \u201cwas punishment for being the adopted daughter of the Palmer family and daring to report me to Father.\u201d<\/p>\n
He lifted his hand again. \u201cCrispin, continue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another sharp slap landed on Valeria\u2019s other cheek, the blow sending her staggering backward until she collapsed at Thatch\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that,\u201d Haskell added coldly, \u201cwas for mocking my disability in front of Father.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tears streamed down Valeria\u2019s face as she sobbed, \u201cDad, can\u2019t you see? He\u2019s crossed a line this time!\u201d<\/p>\n
Thatch bent down to help her up, his eyes burning with fierce anger. \u201cHaskell, that\u2019s enough! Losing the use of your legs hasn\u2019t made you lose your mind too! How dare you defy my orders? Are you trying to start a rebellion?\u201d<\/p>\n
Valeria clutched her reddened cheeks, shooting Haskell a glare sharp enough to cut steel.<\/p>\n
Unmoved, Haskell\u2019s lips curled into a faint, cold smile. \u201cFather, don\u2019t forget\u2014your power in this family exists only because of the success I brought and the respect I earned from Grandfather. Without me, you would be nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
His words hit like a hammer, a direct challenge to Thatch\u2019s authority. The elder man\u2019s face flushed a deep, angry red.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you honestly believe that because I\u2019m confined to a wheelchair, I\u2019m powerless now?\u201d Haskell pressed on. \u201cThat you have enough strength to carry on without me? That Draven can just step in and take over the empire I built?\u201d<\/p>\n
Draven quickly interjected, trying to ease the tension. \u201cHaskell, you\u2019re misunderstanding Father. He would never think that.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Haskell\u2019s smile turned thinner, colder. \u201cBelieve what you want, but remember this: as long as I live, everything you possess is mine to take away.\u201d<\/p>\n
He paused, then added with a calculated calm, \u201cIf there\u2019s nothing else, Father, I\u2019ll take my leave. I have a chess game scheduled with Grandfather tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning his gaze to Draven, a chilling, contemplative smile played on his lips. \u201cSpeaking of which, Draven, you\u2019ve been back for three years now, haven\u2019t you? And yet, you still haven\u2019t played a single game of chess with Grandfather.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before Draven could respond, Crispin was already wheeling Haskell out of the hall.<\/p>\n
Once outside, Haskell stared into the deepening dusk, his expression unreadable.<\/p>\n
\u201cCrispin,\u201d he said quietly, \u201cI want you to discreetly investigate Father. Find out the true nature of his relationship with Valeria.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crispin blinked in surprise. \u201cInvestigate your father and Valeria, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n
Haskell met his gaze steadily. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand, sir,\u201d Crispin replied, his tone now carefully neutral.<\/p>\n
A cold, calculating look settled over Haskell\u2019s eyes. Years ago, Draven had been sent away after a fortune-teller predicted misfortune\u2014an ominous prophecy that had never made sense to him. But now, Haskell suspected something far darker: a carefully orchestrated assassination plot driven by greed and inheritance.<\/p>\n
His father\u2019s unusual affection for Valeria puzzled him deeply. She was merely an adopted daughter, having been part of the family for only three years. Why would Thatch lavish such attention on her?<\/p>\n
The questions hung heavy in the twilight air as Haskell\u2019s mind raced, plotting his next move in the tangled web of family power and betrayal.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chapter closes on a tense and fractured family dynamic, where power struggles and deep-seated resentments surface with painful clarity. Valeria\u2019s suffering and Haskell\u2019s cold defiance expose the fragile balance of authority within the Palmer family, revealing how wounds\u2014both physical and emotional\u2014run deep. The clash between father and son underscores the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the haunting influence of past decisions that continue to shape their present.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amidst the turmoil, the unresolved mysteries surrounding Valeria\u2019s place in the family and Thatch\u2019s true intentions linger like shadows over the characters\u2019 hearts. Haskell\u2019s calculated resolve to uncover hidden truths signals that beneath the surface, alliances and motives are far more complex than they seem. This chapter leaves readers suspended in a moment of uneasy anticipation, where trust is scarce and every action could tip the scales toward destruction or redemption.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the simmering tensions within the Palmer family, where loyalty and betrayal intertwine in unexpected ways. As Haskell sets his plan in motion to uncover the truth behind his father\u2019s seemingly inexplicable favoritism towards Valeria, the fragile alliances between siblings and parents will be tested like never before. The emotional stakes are rising, and the shadows of past prophecies and hidden motives loom ever larger.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Readers can anticipate a charged atmosphere where secrets begin to unravel, and the true nature of each character\u2019s intentions comes under scrutiny. The complex dynamics between Haskell, Valeria, Draven, and Thatch are poised to ignite conflicts that could redefine their relationships and the future of the family empire. With every whispered suspicion and calculated move, the question remains: who will emerge victorious, and at what cost?<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
Wings of Broken Time by Alina Das 70 Wings of Broken Time by Alina Das 70 Summary \u00a0 In a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30589","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-throne-of-thorns-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30589"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30589\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}