As soon as the entire face turned dark, even a Martial Saint, even the legendary great immortal who could fly through the skies and burrow through the earth, would be unable to save him.

If Henry Thompson died, Alice Thompson felt that there would be nothing left to look forward to in life.

Having lost the purpose to go on living, Alice Thompson became completely dazed, abandoning all thoughts of the master's orders and the task of bringing the young master home.

Tears streamed down his aged face, his eyes clouded and unfocused.

His withered hands, like those of an old tree, gently and lovingly stroked Henry Thompson's cheek. That trembling, gentle touch deeply moved Henry Thompson's heart—the warmth, the affection, the familial love—all touched Henry Thompson to the core, penetrating his bones and soul.

"I always thought I had no father, but it turns out, my father has always been by my side! Father, your son is unfilial. In order to catch the mastermind, I must harden my heart and continue deceiving you!"

At this moment, to Alice Thompson, it was almost instinctive—Henry Thompson regarded him as his own biological father, because Henry Thompson could feel this intense familial love that surpassed any bond between father and son.

Such selfless love, a thousand times greater than a father's love, was more than Henry Thompson could bear. Guilt, self-blame, sympathy, sorrow... This Alice Thompson, who had devoted his entire life to the Li family, serving as the family's steward and servant, had no wife or children of his own, all so he could better care for Henry Thompson...

"Young master, if anything happens to you, this old servant will immediately follow you! You mustn't have any mishap. This old servant will try every possible way and will definitely cure you! Young master, wait here, this old servant will be right back..." As Alice Thompson spoke, he looked at Henry Thompson with deep reluctance, then turned to go out in search of the best spiritual medicine.

To Alice Thompson, since Henry Thompson was not actually poisoned, even though his face was dark, Alice Thompson could not tell that he was poisoned.

As for Emily Thompson, she had never checked. Seeing Henry Thompson eat the food and then show symptoms of poisoning, she naturally assumed it was poisoning, and so everything seemed to fall into place.

And it was precisely at the instant when Alice Thompson turned around—

"Kill!"

With a clear shout, a flash of cold light shot out unexpectedly, stirring the air with a sharp whistle.

"Whoosh—!"

Suddenly, that streak of cold light was already upon them!

At such a moment, even if Alice Thompson had been prepared, he would have barely been able to block a single move. But now, the attacker struck ruthlessly, aiming straight for a vital spot that would guarantee death. If that blade struck true, Alice Thompson would die on the spot!

Henry Thompson had long sensed the fierce blade aura. At this moment, his whole body tensed in an instant, ready to spring out and save Alice Thompson.

But just then, a blurred figure suddenly shot out—a woman in pale yellow clothes instantly slashed her sword at the cold light and at the same time pulled Alice Thompson aside.

With a "clang—", sparks flew everywhere.

That streak of cold light was not deflected by the sword; instead, after a brief pause, it shot even more fiercely toward the woman in yellow.

"Splurt—"

A crisp sound rang out. Emily Thompson's body shuddered, and the lively light in her eyes instantly dimmed. In her gaze, there was relief, there was comfort...

"Uncle Ke, quickly, take the young master and go, the mast—splurt—"

The cold light suddenly twisted, pulling out violently from Emily Thompson's body. She could not catch her breath, her words left unfinished, and she died tragically on the spot.

This sudden turn of events left even Henry Thompson stunned and momentarily confused.

However, that slightly comforted voice made him realize that Emily Thompson felt regret for poisoning him.

But who was that "mast—"? Henry Thompson had no way of knowing. This hope naturally fell to Helen Thompson and Julia Thompson.

At this moment, seeing Emily Thompson die, the two of them trembled, but immediately leapt up, using their lightness skill to carry Henry Thompson and fly out.

Alice Thompson snapped back to his senses completely, his eyes instantly blazing with extreme hatred and madness.

"Ah—you dare harm my child, I'll fight you to the death! Ah—"

Alice Thompson had gone mad, no longer caring about the flaws in his swordplay, fighting life for life, every move vicious to the extreme, charging at the black-clad assailants.

Chapter 014: Cruelty

In an instant, he was entangled with the three black-clad men.

"Don't let up, kill!" a hoarse voice came from one of the black-clad men, deep and somewhat thick, but that slight hoarseness could not escape Henry Thompson's ears.

His heart trembled, hardly able to believe this was real. The bottom line in Henry Thompson's heart seemed to be gradually breaking.

That voice, so distinctive—it was his eldest brother Edward Thompson's!

Blood brothers, yet fighting each other like this! Was it their father who sent him, or did he come to kill on his own?

At this moment, Henry Thompson's heart suddenly turned cold. Even the last bit of hope seemed to be shattering.

Deep down, the last shred of hope left in Henry Thompson was that it was not his father who wanted him dead, but that his eldest brother was simply vicious and wanted to kill him on his own...