Thankfully, the pendant hadn’t broken.
Ignoring the pain in my back, I summoned every ounce of restraint and said coldly,
“Pick it up.”
Samantha sneered.
“A piece of trash? I’ll crush it instead. What can you do about it?”
The more I spoke, the more defiant she became. She raised her high heel and brought it down.
Crack.
The sound of shattering tore through the air—and with it, my fury erupted.
“You’ve gone too far. You’re courting death!”
Jason blinked in surprise, then burst into arrogant laughter.
“Death? From you? Old man, you must be senile! You think you can threaten me?”
“Apologize,” I demanded.
Jason and Samantha exchanged glances, then doubled over laughing.
“Apologize? To you? Do you even know who I am?”
Jason jabbed his finger at my face, spittle flying.
“My father is Richard Coleman! Ever heard of Coleman Enterprises? He controls the entire city’s economy in his hands! You want me to apologize? I’ll make sure you don’t live to see tonight’s sunset!”
I could take no more. I moved to teach this arrogant brat a lesson, but my injured back slowed me down.
“Old fool, you dare fight back?” Jason kicked me hard in the knee.
I gasped, collapsing onto one knee. Agonizing pain shot through my bones.
Then they started raining blows on both me and Michael.
Onlookers gathered, but no one dared step in when they saw the Maserati and Jason’s swagger.
Michael shielded me with his body, taking most of the beating.
“Don’t hurt my grandpa! If you want to hit someone, hit me!”
I had endured countless scars in my life without flinching. But watching my grandson suffer for me left me seething with helpless rage.
Finally, Jason grew tired and planted his foot on my back.
“Now you’re scared, aren’t you? Here’s your last chance—kneel, kowtow, and pay up! Otherwise, I’ll kill both of you right here!”
Samantha pulled out her phone and started livestreaming.
“Everyone, take a look at these two shameless old liars. Tried to take dirty pictures and then attacked us—we’re just defending ourselves!”
The camera zoomed in on our battered faces, and a flood of vile comments poured in.
I felt my blood boil as I stared at the screen.
“Stop now, and I might spare your family. But if you dare lay another finger on my grandson, I swear your family will disappear from Los Angeles.”
Jason froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.
“You’ve lost your mind, old man. Threaten me? Watch this. You said not to touch his fingers? Then I’ll crush every single one of them!”
He kicked me down again, then ordered his thugs to pin Michael’s hands to the ground.
“Watch closely, old man!” Jason stomped down on Michael’s fingers.
Not satisfied, he had Samantha and the others join in, grinding his hand until it was a bloody mess.
“This is what happens when you mess with my girlfriend!”
“No!” I tried to crawl forward, but the searing pain in my knee left me immobile.
Michael’s screams grew weaker, his face pale as paper.
Only when his hand was mangled beyond recognition did Jason finally step back, satisfied.
