96

Nathan moved stealthily towards Richard's lair, feeling each heartbeat echoing in his ears.

The path to this point had been arduous, but he knew there was no turning back. The mansion, imposing and surrounded by dense vegetation, seemed a reflection of Richard's dark soul.

The air was thick with tension, and Nathan could feel the knot in his throat tightening more and more.

He knew he didn't have much time and that the odds were not in his favor, but he also knew this was his only chance to get rid of Richard for good.

As he crossed the mansion's gate, he crouched behind some bushes, carefully observing the guards' movements. Each step brought him closer to his goal but also put him in greater danger.

Finally, he managed to slip through an open window on the ground floor. The house was dark, and the silence was broken only by the creaking of wood under his feet.

He moved through the hallways cautiously, his breathing controlled yet heavy. Every shadow seemed like an enemy, every noise an imminent danger, but his mind was focused on one thing: confronting Richard.

Upon reaching the main hall, Nathan took a deep breath and shouted firmly,

“Come out, you damn coward! Face me like a man!”

The echo of his voice resounded throughout the house. Immediately, the guards began to surround him, and soon the tall figure of Richard appeared in the doorway, a cruel smile curving his lips.

It seemed Richard wanted to prolong the confrontation, enjoying the power he had over Nathan.

“Well, well, Nathan. I knew I’d see you around here,” he commented mockingly, taking a step towards him with one hand on his waist and his weapon visible.

Nathan felt a torrent of emotions wash over him. The rage and hatred he felt for Richard were palpable, intensified by the tormenting memories of his childhood.

He had no empathy for this man.

“I’m going to finish you, Richard,” he said in a dangerous voice. “There’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

Richard let out a laugh, even appearing to be in good spirits.

“Are you here to kill me? I don’t think you have the guts. Well, at least that’s what your grandfather said...” he looked at him mockingly.

Nathan growled, and that was enough for Richard to widen his cynical smile. Nathan had always felt he didn’t live up to his grandfather’s expectations, and Richard knew it.

“You want to see if I have the guts?” he smirked. “Don’t tempt me, you bastard. I can turn you into a sieve in seconds.”

Richard didn’t flinch and with just a gesture of his hand, the guards approached.

Nathan felt the weight of the hidden weapon in his pocket as Richard's guards searched him.

They were too confident that no one would dare challenge their boss in his own lair. However, Nathan had a clear objective: to find his wife and children and rid himself of Richard for good.

“You know what, kid? You’re a disappointment not only to your grandfather but to me as well,” Richard commented, almost bored. “Even Jeremy has qualities you’d envy.”

Richard's words ignited Nathan's anger, not because he believed them, but because he knew Richard had no right to speak of his brother.

“Don’t you dare mention my brother’s name with your filthy mouth,” Nathan hissed, angry. “He was just another victim of your evil, and I’ll make sure you pay dearly for it.”

Richard frowned, his voice turning cold.

“I’ve already paid enough in that damn place. What do you know about hardship? You’re practically made of marzipan,” he said disdainfully. “You don’t know what it’s like to live a hard life, to eat off the ground or sleep on it despite the cold, to fear for your life 24 hours a day with no hope of anyone lending a hand unless you give something in return.”

Nathan gritted his teeth.

“You earned that, you damn animal!” he shouted, and Richard let out a humorless laugh. “Did you think you could escape justice? I suppose now you think you’re invincible because you have a few bootlickers at your disposal.”

The guards growled at the insult, and Richard smirked, satisfied.

“Be careful what you say, Nathan. These men wouldn’t have any mercy on you and would tear out your tongue for insulting them like that,” he said with a sinister laugh. “You’ve been warned, spoiled brat.”

Nathan felt his rage growing. He clenched his fists at his sides, his mind racing to devise a way out of this situation.

He knew he had to stay calm, but every word from Richard made his blood boil even more.

“I’m going to make you pay for everything, Richard. I don’t care what you say, I don’t care what you have. Today, your reign of terror ends.”

The tension in the air was palpable. Richard watched him with bright eyes, enjoying the moment.

Nathan felt that every passing second was a second closer to the final confrontation. With one last defiant look, Nathan took another step forward, ready to end it all once and for all.

Before anyone could foresee it, he took out the weapon that had not been found and pointed it directly at Richard.

Richard looked at him mockingly, not intimidated in the least.

“Let us settle this as family,” Richard said to his guards with disdain.

The men hesitated, but at their boss’s order, they withdrew, though not very far.
“You won’t be able to shoot,” Richard said flippantly, lowering his own weapon. “I could defeat you even without a gun, and you know it. You don’t even know how to fight.”

Each taunt, each disdainful word pierced Nathan’s chest like thorns. But he was not willing to give in.

He needed to find Suzanne and his children, to free himself from the constant terror of having to hide because of Richard’s damn thirst for revenge.

Nathan lowered his weapon as well, and his father, perplexed, let out a laugh.

“You’re a fool,” he mocked, but Nathan didn’t lose his smile.

Richard frowned at the confidence on his son’s face.

“Why are you so confident?” he asked disdainfully.

Nathan didn’t respond with words. Instead, he pulled a knuckle duster from his pocket and, with a swift and precise movement, landed a solid punch on Richard’s jaw.