Chapter 132: Warmth of his kiss
"Uncle, you’re here?" Roderick said in surprise as he stepped into the house earlier than usual. His gaze swept across the room, and a familiar presence made him pause. ’Layla’s here too?’ he thought, suppressing a sigh. "I hope you’ve prepared a nice birthday present for me this time," he added, attempting a light-hearted tone.
Lucius, seated with an air of authority, raised an unimpressed brow. "If you’re thinking I’ll hand over the land, then you’re sorely mistaken, nephew," he replied curtly. "You already have more than most could dream of. I’ve given you plenty of gifts in the past, but did they ever matter to you? You toss them into the trash bin without a second glance."
Roderick stiffened, caught off guard by the accuracy of Lucius’s observation. ’How does he know that?’ he wondered. ’Who’s feeding him these small, insignificant details?’
Lucius leaned forward, his piercing gaze locking onto Roderick’s. "And for the last time, I didn’t kill your father," he said firmly. "If you still believe those ridiculous rumors, then listen carefully: I was in the same car that day. Your father wasn’t just my brother—he was my family. I would’ve given my life for him, but I could never take his. I need you to understand that."
The room seemed to grow heavier with the weight of Lucius’s words. He continued, his tone unwavering. "I’m addressing this now because you had the audacity to approach Layla about it. Don’t overstep your boundaries, Rick. She’s not your pawn to manipulate. To her, you’re nothing more than a selfish ex who toyed with her emotions for far too long. Remember that."
Lucius’s words struck like a hammer, leaving Roderick speechless. He clenched his fists but said nothing.
"And you snatched her from me," Roderick said after a long, tense pause, his voice tinged with bitterness.
"Did I?" Lucius replied, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.
"Of course! I still can’t fathom how my uncle could suddenly take an interest in Layla," Roderick shot back, his anger rising. "Whatever happened between me and her was our business. Why did you have to intervene?"