Chapter 58 : You Forget Who You’re Talking To?
Jareth did not look at Jackson at all. Instead, his sideways glance landed on Allison, sitting silently in the farthest corner.
Maybe he hadn't expected to see her there. Something flickered in his eyes for a brief second, then disappeared. He turned his head and looked at Linda with cold amusement.
“All this effort just to put on a show? You really went all out to stage this drama.” Jareth adjusted his cane, and he approached Jackson. He didn't spare Linda a glance. His eyes fixed on Jackson as he added with a cold smirk, “If you have something to say, just say it. I’m not here to play along with your drama.”
“You arrogant punk!” Jackson slammed his hand on the table. With others watching, he was not about to let Jareth challenge him. “Looks like it’s time I remind you who’s in charge in this family!”
Jareth didn't flinch. He let out a dry chuckle. “You forget who you’re talking to? We don’t even have the same last name. What makes you think you get to tell me what to do?”
Jackson’s eyes bulged with rage. He slammed the table again and rose from his chair. “Bring in the rods! I’m going to deal with this disgrace of a son right here, in front of everyone!”
Jackson was doing this on purpose. He was putting on a show for the outsiders, making it clear that no matter how capable Jareth was, he still had to bow to the Lopez family.
He wanted Jareth to understand the price of defying him.
As four men carrying heavy staffs marched into the hall, a rush of excitement surged through Ronan.
He shot a quick glance at Allison, thinking, Let’s see if she’s still into Jareth once he’s on the ground, beaten like a dog.
Allison tightened the scarf around her shoulders, her eyes fixed on the four men moving toward Jareth.
She knew this was the Lopez family business and had nothing to do with her. Still, she couldn't stop the rush of anxiety that swept over her as she watched Jareth standing in front of them.
Even after everything Jareth has done, is he still not free from the Lopez family?
When Jareth showed no sign of backing down, Jackson ordered sharply. “Hit him. Don’t stop until he gives in!”
Jareth shot the men a cold glare as they came closer. However, no matter how strong someone was, this was their territory. And here, the Lopez family made the rules.
No one was going to stand up for him.
Two men quickly grabbed him by the shoulders and began forcing him down.
The veins on the backs of his hands stood out as he clenched his jaw and fought back.
But in the end, he was still crippled. How long could he really hold out?
With a sharp crack, one knee slammed into the floor. Jareth winced, his brow tightening, but his other leg stayed firm, refusing to buckle.
Allison flinched at the sound.
Ronan leaned back with a smug grin, his chin lifted as he watched the scene unfold like a show meant for him.
He watched in silence, his eyes cold and distant.
Allison tightened her hold on the scarf while her eyes were fixed on Jareth.
Sweat gathered at the tip of his nose. Even with people holding him down, he kept his head held high. His eyes were staring back at Jackson, burning with anger.
Jackson didn't buckle down. They were father and son, but for a moment, they looked like enemies ready to tear each other apart.
One of the men holding Jareth stepped forward and kicked his cane aside. Then he shoved it farther away, making sure Jareth could not reach it.
The cane skidded across the floor and came to a stop at Allison’s feet.
That finally caught Jackson’s and Linda’s attention, but neither of them cared she was there. They looked away almost immediately.
Jareth had lost his only support.
Behind him, one of the men lifted his staff high, then slammed it down across Jareth’s back with full force.
Jareth did not make a sound.
He planted his hands on the ground beside him, stubborn and silent, refusing to back down or beg for mercy.
Jackson’s eyes blazed with rage. He had no intention of stopping.
Just as the second blow was about to land on Jareth, Allison moved.
If no one intervened, Jareth might survive, but he would be seriously injured.
But before Allison could even get to her feet, someone grabbed her wrist.
She snapped her head around in shock. It was Nigel.
He remained as calm as ever, still holding her wrist. His brow furrowed as he gave her a subtle shake of his head.
He knew Allison was too soft-hearted for this kind of torture. He knew the sight of blood made her sick. He also knew she wanted to speak up for Jareth.
But this was the Lopez family’s show. It was not their place to take the spotlight.
No matter how hard it was to watch, Allison had to endure it. She could not risk bringing shame to the Rogers family.
She hesitated, torn between staying silent and breaking away from Nigel and rushing forward to help Jareth.
But what could she really do? She could not pull Jareth out of this estate, and she couldn't clean up the mess after this punishment.
That single moment of hesitation was all it took. The third hit landed hard on Jareth.
He stumbled forward, then forced himself to straighten up again.
Jareth looked straight into Jackson's eyes. It was cold and sharp like a viper ready to strike. He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.
Something in that stare made Jackson flinch for a brief moment, but he was Jareth’s father. Was he really supposed to let the boy rise above him?
Keep going. Keep hitting him. Beat him until he breaks. Until he begs me.
Linda gripped her handkerchief so hard her knuckles turned white. She watched every blow that fell, barely hiding her fear.
She was afraid, but not only for Jareth.
The Lopez family’s business was closely tied to the Wellinges Group, the company Jareth ran. If Jareth were beaten to death here, it would drag the Lopez family down with him.
But Jackson was too far gone, consumed by rage. Unless Jareth gave in first, no one dared to speak.