Emily was taken aback when she saw the situation. Although Isabelle's despair made Emily feel a little sorry for her, she sensed something in Henry's eyes when he looked at Isabelle.
It was a feeling, much like the gaze of many infatuated teenagers staring at Emily during class.
Henry was ruthless, especially towards Sean and his friends!
But what about Isabelle?
When Emily saw Henry slap Isabelle hard earlier, she felt he showed no mercy at all.
But now, as she witnessed Henry effortlessly take down Sean and the others, Emily realized that Henry was actually being lenient with Isabelle.
With the force he used on Sean, he could have easily broken several of Isabelle's ribs!
While Isabelle and Andrew shivered in fear, Emily saw something in Henry that others couldn't.
She immediately walked up to Isabelle and said, "You should leave now."
Isabelle was on the verge of tears.
She thought, "Do you think I don't want to leave? The problem is, can that jerk let me go?"
Andrew also approached, waving his hands desperately, "Go, go quickly."
Just as Isabelle was about to leave, Henry cleared his throat with a "hmm," causing her to tremble all over, too scared to take a step.
Emily turned to look at Henry, devoid of the previous fear, without even a hint of pleading, and calmly said, "Henry, let her go, okay?"
Because she understood that Henry wouldn't really harm Isabelle, and he needed a way out now.
She was giving Henry an opportunity.
Henry asked without emotion, "Just let her go like this? What if she brings someone back later?"
"She won't," Andrew said, "Isabelle, right?"
Isabelle quickly nodded.
Henry stood up and walked in front of Isabelle, while Emily turned to watch him.
Andrew, worried that his brother would resort to violence again, pleaded with a tearful face, "Henry, please, don't lay a hand on her again."
But Henry, unfazed, said to Isabelle, "Call the police!"
Isabelle instinctively squeezed her phone, her head spinning like a whirligig.
"Why don't you call the police?" Henry asked. "Are you still counting on your friends to bring more people?"
"No," Isabelle explained, "Today was my fault. I started the conflict by littering and then went to your brother's house with someone. Even if I make a police call, they can't do anything to you."
Henry said coldly, "You seem to understand the situation. Why were you so unreasonable before? Is it because you've been around for a few years and think you can disregard others?"
"I haven't been involved with gangs. I just intimidate people. That Sean guy was my former classmate. He's the one involved with gangs, not me."
Henry warned, "Remember, tell your friend that he can still bring people, but they only have one chance. If the people he brings don't dare to take my life, they better not come, or I will kill all of you, including you."
Isabelle nodded vigorously and said, "No, I won't let him bring anyone."
"Let's go!"
Isabelle looked at Henry in disbelief, but he remained silent and turned back to sit on the sofa.
Andrew quickly pushed Isabelle and whispered, "Let's go, go, go!"
Isabelle glanced fearfully at Henry, who was sitting there, tilting his head and looking out the window, before timidly walking to the door.
Making sure Henry wouldn't stop her, she ran all the way home and slammed the door shut.
Andrew closed the door as well, glanced at Emily, and let out a long sigh of relief.
Emily, however, walked expressionlessly towards the kitchen. As she passed by Henry, she saw him still gazing out the window with his face turned.
In the kitchen, Emily continued cooking. Andrew sat beside Henry and managed to force a smile, "Henry, thank you. You've helped my brother and sister-in-law vent their anger. Now our family is finally at peace!"
Henry remained silent.
After a moment of hesitation, Andrew asked, "Things here have settled down. How about after we finish lunch, I'll drive you back to the village?"
Without even looking at him, Henry replied, "Didn't I say? I'll go to your school in the afternoon and back to the village at night!"
"Brother, can you listen to my advice?" Andrew explained, "Actually, no one bullies me to my face at school. The reason your sister-in-law said that is mainly because I am timid and avoid conflicts. She means to say that I am too kind-hearted."