Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1692

Late at night, after the three little ones were sound asleep, Tarquin changed into a lightweight tracksuit and quietly slipped out of the house. Lowell was already waiting in the yard. Seeing Tarquin, he immediately said, "Tarquin, my team is ready. We can move whenever you say." Tarquin got into the car. "Tell them to move in now." "Got it!" Lowell immediately made the call. The two drove away from the residence. Much later, the car stopped outside the walls of the Punikon family's estate. A shadowy figure approached and tapped lightly on the car window. Lowell rolled down the window. "Is it done?" The bodyguard nodded. "Everyone except Punikon's grandfather is out cold. They won't wake up until morning." Lowell turned to Tarquin. "Want me to go in with you?" "No need. You guys keep an eye on the perimeter. Don't let anyone notice we're here." Tarquin pushed the door open, got out, and vaulted over the wall into the courtyard. Punikon's grandfather was still asleep when a sudden noise jolted him awake. He snapped his eyes open. "Who's there?!" Tarquin, wearing a face mask, appeared in his bedroom. He made no move to attack. The room was pitch black, and only the moonlight outlined a human figure. Punikon's grandfather shot up from the bed. "Who are you?!" Tarquin didn't speak, walking toward him with his hands in his pockets. Punikon's grandfather immediately jumped off the bed, shouting for guards while launching an attack. His solid fist sliced through the air, heading straight for Tarquin. Tarquin didn't dodge. He caught the punch with his bare hand. Punikon's grandfather was stunned. Tarquin caught the fist in a vice-like grip, absorbing an impact that would have shattered a lesser man’s ribs. But Tarquin stood his ground, not moving an inch. It was terrifying to imagine how skilled he was. Punikon's grandfather strained, trying to press his attack, but he couldn't move forward. Then he tried to pull his hand back, but it was stuck fast. A look of shock crossed his face. "Who in the world are you?!" Tarquin remained silent. A few seconds later, he suddenly applied force, pushing the fist he held. Punikon's grandfather had no way to defend himself and stumbled back repeatedly. Just as he was about to fall onto the bed, he swung with his other hand. Tarquin was quicker, grabbing his wrist and executing a perfect shoulder throw. Punikon's grandfather tried to spring back up, but Tarquin gave him no chance, instantly clamping a hand around his neck. With his life in someone else's hands, Punikon's grandfather froze, too scared to move. He gasped for breath. "Who... who are you?!" He was trying to distract Tarquin, preparing to make a move with his free hand. Tarquin showed no mercy. His brow tightened as he grabbed the man's other hand and, with a sharp 'crack,' snapped his finger. "Aargh—" Punikon's grandfather screamed in agony. Tarquin said coldly, "I'm here to negotiate, not to take your life. If you try any more tricks, you'll spend the rest of your days in a wheelchair." The voice was familiar. Punikon's grandfather was horrified. "You... you're Tarquin?!" Tarquin released him, pulled off his mask, and switched on the bedroom light. Seeing his face, Punikon's grandfather stared in pure, unadulterated shock. "You... how... how are you this strong?!" Tarquin didn't explain, sitting down in a chair in the bedroom. "It would be easy for me to kill you." Punikon's grandfather, having seen his true strength, was so scared he could only swallow hard. "What do you want?" Tarquin said, "I'm here to make a deal." "What kind of deal?!" Tarquin got straight to the point. "You're no match for me. I could kill you in a heartbeat. The deathmatch contract is signed, so I wouldn't even be held responsible. Right now, your life is in my hands. The fate of your entire family is also in my hands. If I kill you in the ring, the Punikon family will be a laughingstock, and the Thyania martial artists will cast you out for bringing them shame!"