It turned out that Kevin Bolton, despite being injured, charged right up to Mark. Mark never expected this kid to be so ruthless—caught off guard, he was grabbed by the throat by Kevin Bolton and instantly lost all ability to resist. With his other hand, Kevin Bolton seized the knife handle, snatching the cleaver into his own grasp. It was still smeared with his own blood!

Kevin Bolton gritted his teeth and slammed the knife handle hard against Mark's ear. Mark only heard a buzzing sound before collapsing limply to the ground, losing consciousness.

Being ruthless to others is nothing; only when you don't care about yourself are you truly a desperado!

Wasn't Eric Bolton supposed to be a scholar? How could he be even more ruthless than those who brawl all day long? Seeing the wound on Kevin Bolton's side, their hearts pounded with fear. A few timid ones simply backed away—no one's life is blown in by the wind, there's no need to lose it for nothing!

The thugs no longer dared to fight and all retreated, exposing Andrew Walker and Sam Thompson. The two of them were stunned, their legs weak. Kevin Bolton advanced step by step, and Andrew Walker was so weak in the knees he couldn't move. Sam Thompson kept backing up until his heel hit the courtyard gate, sending him tumbling in a roll.

But that fall snapped him back to his senses, and he bolted toward the street corner.

"Help! Somebody, help! Murder!"

He hadn't run far when suddenly the sound of hooves rang out—five or six warhorses approached, led by an elderly man in his early fifties, with a dark red face, thick brows, a wide mouth, and a broadsword in hand.

When Sam Thompson saw him, he immediately clung to this lifeline, wailing, "Lord Walker, some villain is trying to kill your son!"

This old man was none other than Andrew Walker's father, Charles Walker. He had just returned with his men from collecting debts and was in a good mood, but upon hearing Sam Thompson's words, he nearly fell off his horse.

"Who is it? Which bastard dares to do this?"

Sam Thompson hurriedly pointed toward The Bolton Family, and Charles Walker looked up to see a young man holding a cleaver, advancing step by step toward his precious son Andrew Walker.

"You little bastard, stop right there!"

With a furious shout, Charles Walker spurred his warhorse forward.

Thomas Johnson saw everything clearly from behind. He was scared out of his wits—Charles Walker was a company commander, with soldiers under his command. If he charged in, Kevin Bolton's life would surely be forfeit!

"Kevin, come back quickly, don't make enemies!"

Kevin Bolton heard Thomas Johnson's shout, but instead of stopping, he sped up, leaping in front of Andrew Walker, arm outstretched, grabbing the boy by the throat!

"No!"

Both Thomas Johnson and Charles Walker shouted at the same time, but it was too late—Kevin Bolton had already lifted Andrew Walker off the ground, the blade pressed to his neck.

"You little bastard, don't hurt my son!" Charles Walker shouted in a rage.

"You old bastard, take one more step and I'll make you bury your own child!"

Kevin Bolton's left hand squeezed Andrew Walker's throat tightly, making the boy's face turn ashen. Charles Walker saw this and could only rein in his horse, fuming with rage. The Walker family was a big name in Daqing Fort, and now someone dared lay hands on his son—unforgivable!

"Kid, my son has no grudge against you, neither in the past nor recently. Why are you holding him hostage? Let him go at once!"

Kevin Bolton gave a cold, faint smile. Seeing Charles Walker arrive, he knew things wouldn't end well for him, so he decisively took Andrew Walker as a hostage—otherwise, he wouldn't even have a bargaining chip.

"At the crack of dawn, you brought a dozen thugs to my house, tried to take my woman, and you say there's no grudge? Are you blind and heartless?"

"Nonsense! My Walker family would never do such a thing!"

At this moment, Thomas Johnson hurried over, suppressing his anger, cupped his hands to Charles Walker, and said, "Lord Walker, I know the whole story clearly. It was indeed Young Master Walker who started the trouble, and Kevin Bolton had no choice but to fight back."

Charles Walker sized up Thomas Johnson and grunted, "You, surnamed Qiao, this kid isn't your son, is he? Why stick your neck out?"

The commotion at The Bolton Family had long since alarmed the neighbors. Dozens of people stood straight around the courtyard, with even more gathering to watch the excitement.

Thomas Johnson cupped his hands to those around and said, "Old friends and neighbors, back in the day, it was Big Brother Bolton who carried me out from a pile of corpses. No matter what, I owe the Bolton family my life! Even if the King of Heaven himself can't give a good reason and wants to harm the Bolton family, he'll have to step over my dead body first!"

"Well said! Well said!"

His words rang out like a bell. Though the people around feared Charles Walker's power, they couldn't help but cheer.

"Captain Walker, the Bolton family is just a small household—how could they dare oppose you? There must be more to this. Let's talk it out!"

The common folk immediately joined in, and Charles Walker's face twitched with anger. He cursed inwardly, but for the sake of his son's life and to avoid public criticism, he could only say, "Speak! If you can't give a good reason, I won't let a single one of you go!"

Kevin Bolton loosened his grip on Andrew Walker's throat slightly and said loudly, "Captain Walker, you may not believe others, so let your son speak for himself."

Kevin Bolton whispered in Andrew Walker's ear, "Young Master Walker, you're smart—don't force us both to the point of no return!"