Chapter 124 Confrontation and Collapse
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Finished
He lost the mother who had loved him most in this world. And at the same time, he lost the woman he
loved.
It took him twenty years–twenty years of drifting through a fog–to finally understand their pain.
He didn’t deserve to call himself a son. He didn’t deserve Nicole’s love.
“And now you let her hurt my daughter. Over and over.”
His voice broke, then steadied.
“I couldn’t protect my mother. I couldn’t give Nicole the life she deserved. But I will die before I let anyone touch my daughter. Anyone.”
Tears fell as he stared at the man he had once respected more than anyone.
Felix met his son’s red–rimmed eyes. His mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“Jasper. You are my son. My pride. And now you air the family’s secrets in public? Make us a joke?”
“This city can survive without the Moores. It can’t survive without Stella.”
Felix stared at him, stunned.
“All this–for a daughter you barely know?”
“She’s my reason for breathing.”
Jasper turned. His eyes landed on the family portrait hanging in the foyer.
He walked over, took it down himself, and slammed it against the floor. Glass shattered across the marble.
“Jasper.”
Mark finally spoke.
“Mom never wanted to be in the same frame as that woman. It was her torture.”
Jasper raised a hand. A dozen men in black filed into the room.
“Search the house. Every photo with my mother and that woman–bring them to me. And-
He pulled a folded paper from his pocket. “Every piece of jewelry on this list.”
Felix’s jaw tightened until his teeth ached.
“Crack,”
His cane came down across Jasper’s back. “Ungrateful child.”
Chapter 124 Confrontation and Collapse
Jasper didn’t move.
The cane swung again. He took it.
“Uncle!”
“Jasper!”
Mark and Leo moved forward, but before the third strike landed, Jasper caught it mid–swing.
“One for giving me life. One for raising me. After this, we’re done.”
“You–you-”
Felix stared at his son–the one he’d been proudest of–and tasted something bitter.
“Are you all just going to stand there? Stop him!”
Amber found her voice, trying to command the guards.
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Finished
But Felix saw what was happening. “Enough. This is still Moore Manor. Have you all lost your minds?”
The house guards shifted, but one look from Mark kept them in place.
“Mutiny. This is mutiny. None of you listens to me anymore?”
Felix turned to Mark, disbelief etched into his face. “You too?”
“Dad.” Mark took a breath. “Jasper’s right. Mom wouldn’t have wanted to share a frame with that woman. And-
“The jewelry she left behind doesn’t belong to Amber and Sienna. My brother and I should divide it.”
“You know those pieces are passed to daughters, not sons. You want to fight your sister and niece over this?”
“If they go to daughters, they go to my niece. Those two aren’t blood.”
“Mark-”
Amber stared at him. When had Mark found out?
Sienna’s face went white.
If her mother wasn’t a Moore–what did she have left?
She sank to the floor, eyes empty.
Felix looked at Mark like he’d never seen him before. This son–the one who never disobeyed–was defying him now.
“Mr. Moore. Everything’s here.”
“Burn the photos.”
12:02 pm Ppp.
Chapter 124 Confrontation and Collapse
Finished
Black smoke rose from Moore Manor, thick and acrid.
“Mark. We split these.”
“Take them all.”
Mark clasped his shoulder, closed his eyes, and let out a long breath.
“No–Dad, call the police. Call the police!”
Amber lunged for the jewelry.
“Take what belongs to my mother and call the police?”
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