"Father!" Luther spat the word like venom, eyes blazing with rage as they locked onto David.
"You dare raise your hand against me for this worthless woman?"
"Enough, Luther," David growled, his voice firm but burdened.
Gently, he steadied Priscilla, helping her regain her balance. The conflict tore at him from within—Luther was the child he'd raised, blood or no blood, a son he’d cherished despite every betrayal his mother inflicted.
David had vowed never to hold the sins of parents against their child.
But now, faced with Luther's twisted fury, he felt his resolve wavering.
"You've never shouted at me," Luther hissed, a wounded animal snarling betrayal.
"Never raised your fist. But now, because of her, everything changes? Am I suddenly nothing to you?"
"Listen carefully," David said through gritted teeth, desperately fighting the storm inside him.
"There's much you don't understand yet. Just go home, cool off, and tonight I'll explain everything."
"Fine," Luther snapped, his jaw tightening.
"But first, I need a hundred million dollars. Charles Kingston and I have a business lined up. You promised it for my birthday next week."
David sighed, his patience fraying. "Charles Kingston is a washed-up disgrace. Everything he touches crumbles to dust. You'd be wise to keep your distance."
"But I gave my word," Luther countered fiercely, his voice sharp with entitlement. "And so did you! It’s just one measly hundred million—you've got mountains of money!"
"Enough!" David roared, fighting to regain composure.
"Plans change, Luther. Give me time to sort things out. Tonight, I swear I’ll explain it all. For now, just leave."
Luther’s eyes darkened ominously, settling once more on Priscilla, but David moved protectively in front of her.
"Tonight then," Luther muttered bitterly. "But you better have answers."
He spun sharply and stormed off, Charles trailing after him like a shadow. Slamming into his car, Luther angrily punched a number on his phone.
"Who’re you calling?" Charles asked cautiously.
"My mother," Luther growled, rage trembling through his voice. "Seems father’s got himself another woman. She needs to know."
The call rang with no answer, and silence thickened Luther’s dread.
“Her phone’s off,” Luther muttered with a frown.
Suddenly, another call buzzed violently.
"Doctor Louise?" Luther answered, anxiety prickling.
"Luther," Louise's voice quivered urgently, "have you been told anything yet?"
"Told what?" Luther's gut clenched.
Louise paused, taking a deep breath, "Listen carefully—you have only one chance."
"Chance for what, Doc?" Luther demanded, fear twisting sharply within him.
"Your father has lost his mind," Louise explained hurriedly. "He’s captured your mother—he might kill her."
"No," Luther whispered desperately, his mother's silent phone suddenly chilling him to the bone.
"David is planning to announce that you're not his son. Someone's gotten to him; someone’s changed him. He’ll disown you, banish you both."
"Is it because of her—the new woman?" Luther snarled.
"Most likely," Louise said urgently. He didn’t fully understand what Luther meant, but he knew one thing—Luther had to save him.
"You must act fast, for your mother’s sake and your own."
"How?" Luther breathed heavily, dread nearly choking him.
"Kill David," Louise said grimly, each word landing like lead in Luther’s heart.
"Do it before he kills your mother, before he alters his will. Act now, and everything David’s remains will be yours."
"Doctor, are you certain?" Luther’s voice cracked, betrayal and anguish flooding his eyes.
"I swear," Louise said firmly, desperation threaded through every syllable. "Act fast—before it's too late!"
Suddenly, chaos erupted on Louise’s end—the crash of breaking doors, authoritative shouts.
"Louise York, you're under arrest for conspiracy against David Morgan!"
Louise’s phone clattered to the floor, his voice rising frantically above the din, "Do it now! Our lives depend on you!"
Suddenly, a strange voice crackled through the receiver, sharp and wary. "Who's this?"
Luther flinched, quickly ending the call as if he'd been burned.
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