Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 356

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 356: The Battle for Malrik**

“Your father is dead! There’s nothing left of him!” Celia’s voice trembled, cracking under the weight of her emotions. The absurdity of Malrik calling Marcus “Daddy” sent a wave of disbelief crashing over her. Was he truly so naïve?

If Marcus is his father, then does that make Emma his mother?

And who exactly am I in this twisted reality?

Celia felt the very fabric of her identity fraying at the edges, unraveling like an old tapestry.

“No, you’re wrong!” Malrik shot back, his scowl deepening as he glared at her.

He loathed this woman, this bitter creature standing before him.

Her sharp features seemed to cut through the air, and every word that spilled from her lips was laced with venom.

With a finger pointed defiantly at Marcus, he declared, “My daddy is standing right here!”

Turning his gaze upward, he sought affirmation from Marcus. “Right, Daddy?”

Marcus, his expression unwavering, nodded slowly. “You’re correct.”

A swell of pride filled Malrik as he turned back to face Celia. “Did you hear that? Daddy said I’m right!”

Then, as if the weight of the world rested on his small shoulders, he issued a warning. “Old female, don’t curse my daddy. If you do, I’ll hit you—even if you’re a female.”

Celia was left utterly dumbfounded. Insanity had taken root in her own son! The fury bubbling within her was so intense, she felt as if she might spew blood.

My own child—my obedient boy—just called me ‘old female’ and dared me with a pointed finger.

The elders stood in stunned silence, their expressions reflecting a collective sense of despair.

Mr. Malrik… his mind is truly unhinged.

One elder, stepping forward with caution, cleared his throat. “Mr. Malrik… do you remember who I am?”

Malrik scrutinized him, his gaze dripping with disdain as if he were examining something vile. “I don’t know who you are, but I know what you are.”

“You know who I am?” The elder’s face lit up, a flicker of hope igniting in his eyes, as if he had just caught a glimpse of salvation.

Mr. Malrik may seem foolish, but perhaps he is not beyond redemption.

“Yes.” Malrik nodded gravely.

“Emma, how can you hit someone? She’s the mother of Mr. Malrik!”

The elders panicked, rushing forward only to freeze in place when confronted by the fierce glares of Marcus and Drake.

“So what if she’s his mother?” Emma sneered, her contempt palpable. “I’ll hit all of you too.”

Turning to Marcus and Edric, she issued her command with chilling confidence. “Marcus, Edric—go beat these old fools. Beat them until they’re unrecognizable. Then send a message to the Enchanter Clan. If they want their elders back, they’d better bring treasures to ransom them. If not, let them rot here as fertilizer.”

“Emma, you wouldn’t dare!” Celia screamed, her voice a mixture of desperation and defiance as Emma continued to overpower her.

Celia was only Rank 6—she had no chance against Emma’s relentless assault. Each blow sent her reeling, helpless rage igniting in her eyes, yet she could not land a single hit in return.

“Emma! I am Malrik’s mother! If you dare kill me, when he wakes, he will never forgive you. Don’t even think about forming a bond with him!”

“Heh.” Emma’s cold laugh echoed in the hall, devoid of warmth. “You think threats like that scare me?”

Fear was a foreign concept to her.

“Then he can leave. There are plenty of males in Interstellar. I don’t need him.”