Half a day had passed, and Levant still had no clue at all.
“Dad, I really don’t remember that I did anything to embarrass you. Could you give me a hint?”
Murphy could no longer hold in the frustration within him. “Stop acting like you don’t know it! It took all that effort for you to give up on pursuing Sir Musgrave’s daughter only to end up pursuing that kind of girl? Are you blind?” he exclaimed.
It was finally clear to Levant that it was regarding Tiffany.
He shifted his gaze over to Sophia – she might have told Murphy about it.
Levant thought that his relationship with Sophia was closer than that of her and Murphy, but he was wrong.
“Dad, it’s not what you think it is. Tiffany and I are just…”
“Go have a clean break with that divorcee. And don’t ever return to the Wicked Palace if you are still entangled with her! I will disown you.”
“Dad, look, it is not easy for a divorcee either. Who wouldn’t want to stay happily married? I’m not expecting you to empathize with her, but you shouldn’t despise her.” Avril stood up for Tiffany.
Hearing what his daughter had said, Murphy was fuming with anger.
“You still had the nerve to say such a thing, Avril! You practically threw yourself onto Stephen and even drugged yourself. Aren’t you embarrassed?”
As she blinked her eyes nervously with guilt written all over her face, Avril felt humiliated and dared not utter a single word.
“Useless trash! Both of you are to be back at the Wicked Palace at once! You’re grounded for two years.”
At once, both of them looked to Sophia for help.
Sophia was startled and said with a smile. “Murphy, since they’ve only returned recently, why don’t you let them stay here a little longer?”
If she knew that Murphy’s temperament had been the same since more than twenty years ago, she would not have revealed the two incidents to him. She would’ve taken care of everything discreetly.
But all was too late; now, she could only regret when she saw the sorrow in Levant and Avril’s eyes.
Since Murphy did not budge, she continued, “Murphy, we are near Evan and Nicole’s wedding date. Since you are already here, why don’t you attend their wedding? Let me take care of the kids. I will take care of them on your behalf.”
Murphy contemplated for quite some time before he decided, “Alright. Avril and Levant, you can both stay if you promise not to meet Stephen and Tiffany.”
Avril was alright to agree for the sake of the situation on hand to pass. I recall a saying regarding an outward devotion with inner opposition. So I shall agree on the surface for now.
“Okay, Dad, I promise not to see him again!”
Pleased with Avril’s prompt attitude, Murphy proceeded to ask Levant.
Levant thought for a moment and nodded. It never occurred to him to further his relationship with Tiffany.
Murphy finally relaxed and was just about to get rid of the wooden bat when Levant inquired. “Dad, I don’t get why you’re not pleased with me seeing Tiffany when you yourself got together Portia while she was still a married woman! Why didn’t it bother you then?”
These mindless words reignited the flame of anger in Murphy that had been put out earlier.
“You disrespectful child! How dare you talk back to me like this! That is none of your business anyway.”
Levant’s intention was purely to express his thoughts, not to disobey his father. As a matter of fact, he had always deeply appreciated the upbringing by Portia and did not intend to speak up on behalf of his biological mother.
However, after he had seen how angry Murphy was, he intentionally probed further, “Dad, as the saying goes – like father, like son. It’s safe to say that I’ve learned that from the best!”
That further frustrated Murphy, and he yelled, “Y-You disrespectful child! How dare you insult your father! I will kill you!”
The moment Murphy finished speaking, that wooden bat he was holding flew towards Levant at high speed. However, Levant managed to dodge just in time and avoid any serious damage, but it still managed to hit his calf.
