Chapter 459
Holden failed to stifle a laugh. “Do I look like a fool to you? I know my son wouldn't be freed upon your
return.”
Raymond merely shrugged his shoulders, looking like an old rogue. “Don't forget, Mr. Lewitt, you're the
one asking me for a favor, and I'm the one making the decisions here.”
“Is that so?” Holden slowly got out of his seat and fished out an emerald pendant from his pocket,
playing with it in the palm of his hand.
Upon noticing the pendant, the older man sprang to his feet. “What did you do to my grandchild?”
“Nothing much. All I did was send him to Tarragon's Prudent Hall for an experience. The kid's lacking in
physical fitness, so he passed out a couple of times, but don't worry, he's still alive.”
Raymond's expression changed drastically at the mention of Prudent Hall.
That place was akin to hell, where all sorts of gruesome torments would be inflicted, and chances of
making it out alive were slim.
“Holden, although we're enemies, we should still abide by the unspoken rule of not harming the women
or children. Are you trying to break that rule by targeting my grandchild?” he questioned.
Amused by the older man's accusations, Holden chuckled.
This old bat dares to talk to me about the unspoken rules of our industry. Does he have no shame?
“Well, isn't my son in your hands right now? Aren't you threatening me with my son? If not, then I'll take
my leave,” he voiced.
With that, he turned around and walked to the door. However, he did not forget to add, “Oh right, Mr.
Raymond, he's your biological grandchild, correct? If you wish to save him, then you'll have to agree to
my terms. As for the terms... I'll think about it at home and let you know.”
The older man's face twitched violently as it grew red with fury.
He was the one threatening Holden and had gotten what he wanted, but the tables turned in the blink
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtof an eye.
In fact, it was a dramatic turn of events.
Raymond exclaimed, “Wait! I'll trade with you! Give me control over Zaewora, withdraw from Epea, and
release my grandson. In return, I-I'll let your son go.”
Hearing the proposal, Holden halted in his tracks and turned around. A smile spread across his face,
but it did not quite reach his eyes. “Are you daydreaming, Mr. Raymond? My son's in your hands, while
your grandson's in mine. It's only fair if we make an equal exchange. How could you add two additional
conditions?”
Raymond was so infuriated by the man's words that he was shaking in fury as his face turned ashen.
“Are you trying to go back on your word? Do you think I dare not kill your son?” he snarled.
Holden merely spread his hands. “Do as you please. He wouldn't feel lonely with your grandson
accompanying him in the afterlife. But it's really unfortunate for you, Mr. Raymond. Your son passed
away at a young age and only left one descendant. Your grandson's your precious treasure, isn't he? I
don't suppose you can have any more children, so it looks like he's the only one who can continue your
family's bloodline.”
Every single one of his words was merciless, stabbing Raymond where it hurt the most.
“Not bad, not bad at all! In that case, let's just keep stalling like this.”
Holden quirked a brow at the older man's words. “Are you sure, Mr. Raymond? I'd suggest you get rid
of your wishful thinking. After all, your grandson's in Prudent Hall. He could cross over to the afterlife at
any second.”
Raymond's legs gave out, and he fell heavily onto the chair.
Seeing how severely devastated the man was brought a smile to Holden's face. “Indeed, I did take
Zaewora from the Hoffman family. Many years have passed since then, and Tarragon has grown
significantly. As such, I'll be generous and return the territory to you.”
Raymond looked up at him, his voice trembling as he asked, “A-Are you speaking the truth? You're
returning Zaewora to the Hoffman family?”
“But on the condition that you hand over my son, and of course, I'll also release your grandson.”
The older man shut his eyes, and calmness filled his tired-looking eyes when he finally opened them
again.
“Okay,” he uttered through clenched teeth.
He then fell silent for a moment before adding, “Order Tarragon's men to withdraw from Zaewora first.
I'll release your son once my people have taken over the territory.”
Holden merely shrugged at his suggestion. “It doesn't matter to me, but the transition of power could
take at least three or four days. Are you sure your grandson will be able to hold out until then?”
Raymond clenched his teeth so hard that grating sounds could be heard.
“Don't worry. Wendy is my woman and a member of the Hoffman family. As a show of respect for her, I
won't go back on my word,” added Holden.
That left Raymond with no other choice.
His opponent could very well father another offspring after losing one. After all, Holden was in his prime
and had no reason to worry about having no heirs.
Alas, that was not the case for Raymond. His son had passed away, and he himself was well past the
age to procreate. Hence, his grandson was his priceless treasure.
If anything were to happen to the little boy, his family line would end then and there.
“All right, I'll trust you this once. If you still have a conscience, Holden, you should stop using Wendy as
your bait. She's given too much for your sake, and she's not a pawn of yours.”
“Rest assured. I'm a man of my word,” Holden responded with a smile.
Raymond then raised his hand and gestured at the bodyguard who was standing at the side. “Bring Mr.
Sebastian here.”
“Yes, sir.”
Soon after, Sebastian was brought over.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe little boy had been sleeping and eating well, so much so that he had gained some weight.
Rage seethed within Raymond as he fixed his gaze on the fair and chubby boy in front of him.
He's been eating well and getting tons of rest over here, yet my grandson's being tormented over at
Prudent Hall.
Patting Sebastian's head, Holden said to Raymond, “If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving first.”
The older man waved at them, crestfallen. “Get lost.”
Holden did not say anything more and left with his son. Shortly after that, Raymond received a call from
his residence.
Only when his grandson's voice came from the other end of the line did he realize he had been fooled.
Unable to repress his anger, Raymond smashed the phone to the ground after hanging up the call.
Holden, you brat! How dare you trick me!
He was furious, but at the same time, relief suffused him.
His grandson was safe, and that was all that he cared about. It did not matter if he was fooled, for
nothing was more important than the life of his grandson.
“Tell everyone we'll return to Moranta three days later,” Raymond ordered.
“Understood.”
After leaving the resort with Sebastian, Holden started the car and drove away.
In the car, Sebastian sat in the passenger seat and furrowed his brows as he glanced over at the man
in the driver's seat. “What did you give in exchange for me?” he asked.
As Holden focused his attention on the road, he replied in a deep and magnetic voice, “The control
over Zaewora.”
“Pathetic.” An expression of disdain formed on the little boy's face. “After all that, you still had to give up
Zaewora in exchange for me. Isn't that so pathetic?”
A laugh escaped the man when he heard that. “I have countless methods to save you, but this is the
only one that can satisfy your mother. I used her to gain control over Zaewora, and because of that,
she was exiled from her family. I don't know how to make it up to her, so the best I can do is return
something her family rightfully owns.”