“Mildred, that's your uncle, don't act recklessly!”

　　Edward Thompson recognized the man on horseback and shouted in terror. The man on the horse was George Brooks's younger brother, Evelyn Brooks, who was also Helen Brooks's uncle. Edward Thompson ignored the unconscious Charlotte Brooks and hurried toward Helen Brooks. As he ran, Edward Thompson thought to himself: What is this mess? Everything is in chaos.

　　However, Edward Thompson's shouts did not stop Helen Brooks.

　　Already in a rage, Helen Brooks didn't care who it was. He picked up a broadsword from the ground and charged at Evelyn Brooks. The sound of hooves thundered as a group of people rushed into the training ground. The leader's face changed when he saw the situation, and he spurred his horse forward, using his broadsword to block Helen Brooks's blade. With the momentum of his horse, he knocked Helen Brooks back several steps.

　　“Wencai, seize him now!”

　　The man on horseback shouted a command. A general rushed up to the still-unsteady Helen Brooks, leaped off his horse, and grabbed Helen Brooks in a bear hug.

　　“Let me go! I'll kill you all!”

　　“Master, calm down, calm down... the lord has returned...”

　　Helen Brooks's mind cleared a little, and he stopped struggling. At that moment, the man on horseback shouted angrily, “Unfilial son, kneel now!”

　　Looking up, Helen Brooks finally saw clearly that the man who had knocked his broadsword away was none other than his father, George Brooks.

Chapter 5: Aspiring to Stand Against Ten Thousand (1)

　　Helen Brooks stood stubbornly in the main hall of the Dong residence, meeting George Brooks's gaze without a trace of fear.

　　He did not kneel. Although George Brooks ordered him to kneel, Helen Brooks was not at all intimidated by the terrifying aura his father exuded. He stiffened his neck, glared at George Brooks, and said loudly, “I did nothing wrong! Why should I kneel and admit fault? I won't kneel!”

　　George Brooks's dark face turned purple with rage.

　　There were quite a few people seated in the hall. The slaughter in the training ground had even alarmed Mrs. Brooks, who rarely showed herself.

　　This woman of Qiang descent stared blankly at Helen Brooks, a strange feeling welling up inside her: Why isn't he my son? Why is he the son of that lowly maid? If I had a son like him, I would die content.

　　Edward Thompson had not said a word since entering the hall.

　　With his head lowered, no one knew what he was thinking. Even when Brian Ford nudged him several times, he seemed not to notice.

　　At this moment, Evelyn Brooks walked in from outside the hall. He first gave Helen Brooks a complicated look, a trace of fear in his eyes.

　　“Shuying, is everything taken care of?”

　　Evelyn Brooks—Paul Brooks—was George Brooks's brother. Within the Mrs. Brooks family, his abilities were not particularly outstanding. However, George Brooks valued family highly and took great care of his siblings. Although Evelyn Brooks was not especially capable, he was quite skilled in martial arts, so his status in the The Brooks Family was not low.

　　Hearing George Brooks's question, he replied in a deep voice, “Eighteen people died in total. Charlotte Brooks's leg is broken and he's still being treated.”

　　Everyone in the hall gasped.

　　Eighteen people—eighteen strong family guards—actually...

　　At first, when they saw the situation in the training ground, they thought Helen Brooks was bullying others by relying on his status. But after inquiring, they learned that nineteen adults had ganged up on a child not yet seven years old. Eighteen people—could this kid really be a monster?

　　George Brooks's expression was unreadable as he squinted at Helen Brooks.

　　“You did nothing wrong? At such a young age, you killed people, and not just one—you killed eighteen! Charlotte Brooks is your brother. Even if he was in the wrong, you shouldn't have killed so many. Your uncle tried to stop you and was almost killed by you as well... Unfilial son, with all this, do you dare say you have nothing to do with it? Kneel now!”

　　Helen Brooks held his head high. “I won't kneel. I did nothing wrong!”

　　“Unfilial son, I'll kill you!”

　　Helen Brooks's attitude infuriated George Brooks. To be contradicted by his own son in front of so many people—how could he save face?

　　“If I hadn't killed them, they would have killed me! I know you don't like me, but I will never let myself be slaughtered.”

　　“Unfilial son, unfilial son... I'll kill you!”

　　George Brooks drew his treasured sword and strode forward. “I'll kill you, you unfilial son, and treat it as if I never had such a beast for a child.”

　　“Father-in-law, please calm down!”

　　At this moment, Edward Thompson snapped out of it and, together with Brian Ford, blocked George Brooks from either side.

　　Mrs. Brooks suddenly stood up and slowly walked to Helen Brooks. She looked at Helen Brooks, and Helen Brooks looked back at her. After a moment, Mrs. Brooks smiled. She reached out and gently stroked Helen Brooks's cheek, softly saying, “Mildred, if only you were my son, how wonderful that would be.”

　　With that, she left the hall with her maid, without looking back.

　　George Brooks was left stunned. Mrs. Brooks's words struck him like a thunderclap.

　　Yes, this was his own flesh and blood. No matter how wrong he was, he was still his child. Back then, when the boy was born, he had almost ordered him drowned. In these seven years, how much care had he, as a father, given him?

　　If Mildred were Mrs. Brooks's son, no matter how ugly, he would have cherished him dearly.

　　But this child was just too unyielding. If only he would lower his head and admit fault, he could give him a way out.

　　George Brooks was caught in a dilemma, not knowing what to do.

　　Other than his family, only his trusted aides were present in the hall. But at this moment, who would dare speak up?

　　“Unfilial son, kneel!”