Chapter 34
Walter took a deep, measured breath and walked with purpose toward the security booth. The two guards, alert and respectful, immediately saluted him upon his arrival.
“Retrieve the surveillance footage from earlier,” Walter ordered, his voice controlled but heavy with suppressed anger. He wasn’t interested in secondhand accounts—he needed to see it with his own eyes.
The guards quickly accessed the footage, their fingers moving swiftly on the keyboard. Walter watched intently as the video began to play.
When Nash appeared in the frame, his eyes widened in surprise. Could this young man really be Miracle Doctor Tanner’s grandmaster? Walter’s thoughts raced, but his astonishment deepened as he saw Nash, with a single kick, send Kai’s sports car tumbling away. His pupils contracted as he processed the incredible display of strength.
He turned to a figure standing silently behind him, a man in a black hoodie with a grim demeanor. “Iron Kick, what’s the level of this person’s strength?”
The man slowly raised his head, revealing a weathered face marked by stubble and burn scars. His voice was rough as he spoke, “He’s a grandmaster, above stage five.”
Walter’s suspicions were confirmed. Only someone of such extraordinary skill could rival the legendary Thomas King, the renowned cleric. His heart sank as he realized the magnitude of the situation.
As the footage played out, Walter’s face hardened. He stormed over to Kai, who was still recovering from the aftermath of the crash. His voice was low but full of authority. “Why did you try to hit him with your car?”
Kai glanced at him nonchalantly, then turned to Helena with a shrug. He took her hand and began walking toward the garage.
“You come back here!” Walter barked, but Kai ignored him, continuing to walk away without a hint of remorse.
Moments later, Kai was behind the wheel of another sleek sports car, speeding out of the estate with his entourage in tow.
Walter stood rooted to the spot, his fists clenching in frustration. “That insolent brat!” he muttered under his breath. “Does he not even respect me anymore?”
Behind him, an elderly man in a simple tunic shirt chuckled softly. “Mr. Kai’s going through a rebellious phase, Mr. Watson. Please, calm down.”
Walter sighed heavily, a deep weariness settling in. “It’s all my fault. I spoiled him too much.”
His mind drifted back to Kai’s tragic past. Kai’s mother, from a humble background, had been met with immense pressure after marrying into the Watson family. Walter had opposed their union, prioritizing the family’s reputation and interests over their happiness. After the marriage, the young woman had endured a series of struggles that ultimately led to her tragic death by suicide.
Kai, still a child, had been devastated. His father, broken by guilt and alcohol, had spiraled into addiction, causing a string of car accidents. In an attempt to atone for his sins, Walter had shielded Kai from the truth, spoiling him with every luxury he could provide.
But the family secrets were never truly hidden. The old butler, intoxicated one evening, had inadvertently let slip the truth about Kai’s mother’s death. From that day on, Kai’s resentment toward Walter had grown deep, festering into the rebellious young man Walter now faced.
Walter’s anger softened as these memories surfaced. He turned to Iron Kick, his tone more measured. “Iron Kick, from today onward, you’ll stay close to Kai. I don’t want him getting into any more trouble.”
Iron Kick’s raspy voice replied without hesitation, “Mr. Kai’s a handful. It’ll cost you more for me to follow him around.”
Walter nodded without a second thought. “Thirty million a year. But you must make sure he stays safe. No harm comes to him, understood?”
Iron Kick gave a short grunt. “It’ll be over my dead body,” he rasped, though his eyes held a spark of determination.
Walter waved him off. “Go on then. Just… make sure he stays alive.”
There was little Walter could do to mend the rift between himself and his grandson. All he could do now was protect him from the consequences of his reckless actions.
Brian, who had quietly observed the entire scene, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Walter’s excessive indulgence in Kai was a dangerous path. The more he shielded his grandson, the more reckless Kai became. If this continued, not only Kai but the entire Watson family would inevitably face disastrous consequences.
Walter turned to Brian, placing a hand on his heart in an act of sincere apology. “Dr. Tanner, I deeply regret what happened today. Kai has offended your grandmaster, and for that, I apologize with all my heart. Please, allow me the honor of meeting your grandmaster in person. I will visit him myself, and apologize sincerely.”
Brian hesitated, his face clouded with reluctance. He knew better than anyone just how powerful Nash was—both in medicine and martial arts. If not for Nash’s remarkable restraint, things could have ended in bloodshed.
He glanced toward the exit, where the grandmaster had disappeared, and weighed his options. Could Walter’s apology really mend the damage? Brian doubted it. The grandmaster wasn’t someone easily appeased, especially not after the events that had unfolded.
Brian finally spoke, his voice steady but wary. “I’ll let you know. But don’t expect an easy resolution. My grandmaster isn’t someone who can be bought off with just words.”