Chapter 73
"Then I'll accept it," Mary Stone said, taking the gift.
Michael Stone frowned slightly, puzzled.
Why did Mom refuse when I offered it, but took it the moment Emily was mentioned?
They sat down in the living room, and Mary sighed, bringing up recent events.
"A few days ago, Peter Wilson broke into our house to steal. Your wife beat him so badly he passed out from the pain. Your father took him to the police station, and with the current crackdown on crime, he got sentenced to a year in prison."
"What?" Michael shot to his feet, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles cracked.
Peter Wilson had the audacity to rob his home while he was away?
"Your father kept it from you because he was afraid you'd go after Peter for revenge," Mary said in a hushed tone. "You have a family now. If you act recklessly and something happens, what will Emily and the children do?"
Michael took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
She was right. He wasn't alone anymore.
"I understand, Mom."
"Your wife is fierce," Mary continued. "She dislocated Peter's arm, and he fainted from the pain. She even keeps a wooden stick in her room now."
A faint smirk tugged at Michael's lips.
Serves him right.
"Oh, and Emily went to town the other day to pick up a package from her parents. They sent quite a few nice things."
"Her parents really care about her," Michael said, his tone softening.
Mary nodded, then brought up another matter. "Your father wants to divide the family property. Earlier, Richard bullied David and Tommy, and Patricia even got into a fight with Emily. Your brother William disciplined Richard, but your father thinks it's time for the family to split."
"Divide the property?" Michael's eyes turned cold. "Richard bullied my sons? And Patricia came looking for a fight?"
Perfect. I was only gone for a few days, and suddenly everyone thinks they can walk all over us.
Mary quickly added, "I'm just letting you know. Don't make a scene."
After seeing his mother out, Michael went to the children's room.
"David, tell me the truth. Does Richard bully you often?"
The brothers exchanged a glance before David whispered, "Richard said we were beggars for eating at Grandpa's house... Mom didn't open the door for two days, and we were hungry..."
Two days without opening the door?
Michael's chest tightened.
"Did you ever think that maybe Mom was sick?"
David nodded. "We only found out after we woke her up..."
Michael ruffled his son's hair, his heart aching.
The boys were still so young. After the chaos following his failed college entrance exam, they must have been terrified.
He swore silently—no one would ever hurt his family again.