Chapter 6 Seven Days

Bang!

The heavy pure-gold coffin crashed to the ground, creating a resounding bang that echoed through the room. Henry's face darkened as he witnessed the unexpected turn of events.

To their astonishment, Chris Shelby, the once-homeless man whom the Jefferson family had taken in years ago and who had disappeared after marrying their daughter, had now returned out of the blue. And he returned with a coffin—an audacious act of provocation.

Ignoring the shocked gazes fixed upon him, Chris advanced steadily toward Henry.

"I spared no expense in acquiring this coffin. I urged the finest craftsmen to create it overnight. It's worth millions, Henry. Do you appreciate this gift?" Chris's words dripped with sarcasm.

Henry seethed with anger. He bellowed, "You insolent bastard! How dare you cause a scene here? I showed you kindness when you were starving on the streets, and I allowed you to marry my granddaughter."

"Today is my eightieth birthday, and you have the audacity to send me a coffin. What do you want?" Henry's frustration boiled over.

His birthday banquet was supposed to be a celebration, with guests offering their best wishes. But Chris had sent him a coffin. What was the meaning behind this gesture?

Felix, unable to contain his fury, also rose from his seat. "Chris Shelby? How dare you show your face here? I'm going to beat the living daylights out of you!" He raised his hand, intending to slap Chris.

But Chris couldn't care less. He sneered, "Do you dare?"

His arrogant demeanor only further incensed the Jeffersons.

"You worthless beggar! You should be grateful for our kindness! Without our help, you'd be dead in a ditch!" one of them jeered.

"You've brought shame upon the family, and now you have the audacity to send Henry a coffin on his birthday? You ungrateful bastard!" another spat.

"You will pay for this. You will suffer and beg for mercy!" they threatened, their eyes filled with malice.

The entire Jefferson clan glared at Chris, their faces contorted with disdain.

All because of Chris Shelby, the Jefferson family had become the laughingstock of the city. And now, this brazen troublemaker had come to Henry's birthday banquet, openly provoking them. It was unforgivable.

Henry locked eyes with Chris, a cold grin spreading across his face. "Since you dare to act like this, you will pay! Seize him! Bring him to me!"

Instantly, a swarm of bodyguards flooded the room, encircling Chris. The other guests looked on with pity, convinced that Chris had sealed his own fate.

Nobody believed that Chris could escape from this situation alive.

"Grandfather, please! Please spare his life!" Esther pleaded desperately, caught off guard by Chris's unexpected gift.

Henry snorted disdainfully. "You shameless bitch! You dare to beg for him? Listen carefully. From this moment on, Esther Jefferson is no longer a member of this family!"

Esther was stunned, unable to comprehend the mercilessness of Henry's words. She had never expected him to cast her out of the family so callously.

Lorie regarded Esther with arrogant disdain, mocking her, "You're nothing but a bitch who has brought shame upon the family. If I were you, I would simply end my own miserable existence."

"Exactly!"

"Ungrateful bitch! If it weren't for us, you and your mother would have starved to death!"

"We should have let you perish!"

The Jeffersons unleashed a torrent of vile insults, humiliating Esther with every word.

"Enough!"

Suddenly, Chris's voice boomed with anger.

As the Primus, the commander of all the soldiers in the country, his presence alone sent shockwaves through the room.

The guests fell silent, their breaths suspended in anticipation.

All eyes were fixed on Chris.

With a cold glance, Chris surveyed the Jeffersons, freezing them in place with his aura.

Henry felt the most intense pressure. The weight of Chris's gaze made it difficult to even breathe.

"Henry Jefferson, five years ago, you were on the verge of death. For your own survival, you sacrificed Esther and forced her to marry me," Chris began, his voice calm yet filled with an underlying intensity.

"After I left, you cast her and her parents aside, all for the sake of your precious reputation. My wife and daughter were relegated to a dark, damp basement, subjected to the cruelty of the Jefferson servants."

"Now, I have returned. And I will make all those who have tormented them pay!"

Chris's voice remained steady, but his words reverberated with shock and disbelief.

Henry, his face sullen, demanded, "Chris Shelby! What is your purpose here?"

Chris surveyed the room, and nobody dared meet his gaze.

"I have come to deliver a message. Every member of the Jefferson family must kneel before my wife and daughter for three days and nights, begging for their forgiveness. You have seven days to consider my proposition."

Laughter erupted in response to Chris's audacious demand.

"What a fool! Who does he think he is? Ha!"

"Do you really believe the Jefferson family would be afraid of you? Not a chance!"

In the face of their mockery, Chris remained calm. "If I don't see all of you on your knees within seven days, there will be no Jeffersons left."

With those words, Chris left the room with Esther and Hope.

"Chris Shelby! Stop! Who gave you permission to leave?" Henry shouted, incensed by the disturbance and Chris's arrogant threats.

"You dare to cause such trouble on my birthday and then dare to challenge us so brazenly! You will pay dearly with your limbs!"

Henry gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with rage. He wanted nothing more than to teach Chris a painful lesson.

"Seize him!"

At Henry's command, hundreds of bodyguards lunged toward Chris.

Esther and Hope anxiously watched as the scene unfolded.

Chris snorted dismissively. "How bothersome. I don't want to waste my time with these pathetic excuses for guards."

Turning to Esther, who looked pale and frightened, he said, "Take care of our daughter."

And with that, he vanished from Esther's sight, a blur of motion.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Chris delivered a flurry of punches, each one sending a bodyguard crashing to the ground in agony.

Within seconds, not a single guard remained standing. They writhed on the floor, their pain evident.

The onlookers were dumbfounded, their jaws dropping in disbelief.

Who on earth was this man?