Chapter 3: I'll Make You Pay

Words : 1999 Updated : Aug 14th, 2025

Huxley Dixon stared blankly at Ramon Hahn, his face chalk white, terror pooling in his eyes. Ramon's mouth curved into a thin smile, a trace of mockery glinting in his gaze. He was just an ordinary guy who'd seen too little of the world; what he'd just witnessed would haunt him for the rest of his life. Just then, Noah staggered forward like he'd seen a ghost, crawling toward Ramon while muttering under his breath, "Descent of the Divine… Descent of the Divine…" When he reached Ramon's feet, he suddenly raised his head and grabbed onto Ramon's pant leg with both hands, his bloodshot eyes a mask of shock and madness. "I get it now! Hahaha! So that's it-I've been doing it wrong this whole time!" Noah clapped like a lunatic, babbling to himself, then let go of Ramon and tore downhill, completely losing control. Huxley, seeing this, wanted to stop him but didn't dare lay a finger on him. He could only watch as Noah disappeared down the mountain path and out of sight. Things finally calmed down. Molly Hahn peeked out from behind Ramon, then bounced into his arms, her eyes shining. "Daddy is amazing! Daddy is the best!" she chirped, planting a kiss on his cheek as if the world-shaking spectacle hadn't frightened her in the least. Ramon held his daughter close and stroked the crown of her head, his expression softening. In that tender moment, Huxley tried to slip away, but Ramon's low voice called him back. "Stop." He didn't raise his voice, but it still made Huxley jump. He froze, turned, and forced a stiff smile. "Ramon… Ramon Hahn, I was wrong before. Let's talk this out." Grinning obsequiously, he fished out a wad of checks and held them out with both hands. "Think of it as an apology. If you'll sign the divorce papers, we can talk numbers-name your price." Ramon glanced at the checks, his face unreadable. Money to him was a trivial thing. With his shackles gone, whatever he wanted came down to a single thought. Huxley's schemes didn't amount to anything in his eyes. "Huxley Dixon, let me be clear: whatever's going on between you and Ariella Fisher, I'm not signing those papers. If you dare disturb me and my daughter again, I'll make you pay." Ramon's voice was icy. He gathered Molly and moved to leave. He had just taken a step when, behind him, there was a heavy thud, and someone latched onto his leg. He looked back to find Huxley on his knees, tears and snot smeared across his face, wretched beyond words. "Ramon, I'll be honest. I don't even want your wife. I have to marry her to save my life. If I don't marry her, I'm finished!" Huxley cried as he banged his forehead on the ground, his fingers clutching Ramon's pant leg with a death grip. Ramon's eyes cooled. "Explain." Shuddering, Huxley said, "My grandpa, Robert Dixon, is the head of the Dixon family. He runs the entire clan. A while ago, he fell ill, and it's a strange illness. We brought in quite a few geomancy experts; they all said the only way to keep him alive was for me to marry a woman with a special fate-to bring in a bride to counter the bad luck. I had no choice, so I went after Ariella Fisher, exactly as they advised." "If I'm not married within a month, my grandpa, Robert Dixon, won't make it. I'll be branded a disgrace to the family and kicked out. The relatives from the side branches, without Grandpa to shield me, will destroy me sooner or later. They're all bad news, and I can't take them on!" Huxley spoke between sobs, knocking his head to the ground again and again, like a drowning man grabbing for a lifeline. Ramon's expression stayed cold, without a trace of pity. "You made your bed, lie in it." He gave a short, derisive snort and moved to pry Huxley's hands free. In truth, he himself had married Ariella back then because his grandfather had valued her special fate. Huxley's plight was the result of his own choices. Ramon had decided to go when Molly tugged gently at his sleeve. The little girl pouted, her face full of pity as she looked at Huxley. "Daddy, that man is crying so hard. Let's help him." Ramon faltered, ready to explain, and then met Molly's clear eyes. They held nothing but kindness and trust. His heart softened; he couldn't bear to let her down. He wanted to teach Molly to be kind and also to learn to protect herself. "Listen. Divorce is out of the question, but I may be able to cure your grandpa," Ramon said evenly. Huxley latched onto the words like a drowning man grabbing a life raft. He snapped his head up, excitement flooding his face. "Good! As long as you can save Grandpa, name your price!" He kept nodding, then pulled Ramon along as they hurried down the mountain. At the foot of the slope, Evie and her daughter had been waiting anxiously. They had watched Noah come careening down the path in a frenzy; no matter what they asked, he had only clapped and babbled mindlessly. When Huxley and Ramon descended, Evie couldn't wait any longer. She rushed up and grabbed Huxley's arm. "Mr. Dixon, did that loser sign?" Huxley's brows knit. He shook her off. "Out of the way, I'm in a hurry." Mother and daughter traded bewildered looks. Ariella gathered her nerve, stepped in front of them, and said anxiously, "Huxley, I know you're in a bind, but you can't hurt Ramon just to get married-that's against the law." Huxley scrubbed a hand through his hair and barked, "Cut it out. Ramon's coming home with me to save my grandpa!" He shoved Ariella aside, urgency roughening his voice like never before. Ariella and Evie froze, stunned. Evie was the first to recover; she shrieked and lunged at Ramon. "You're telling me this piece of trash can save Robert Dixon? What a joke!" Her lip curled in contempt. Before she finished, she seized Ramon's collar and glared daggers at him. "You're quite the actor, tricking even Mr. Dixon. If you're useless, fine, but don't drag my daughter down with you. Don't let him fool you. If a con man like him can cure people, then pigs can fly!" Evie spewed insults, not noticing Huxley's face was darkening by the second. Suddenly a sharp crack cut her off. Huxley's hand had flown, and the slap rang out. Evie clutched her cheek, staring at Huxley in disbelief. "Mr. Dixon, you…" Huxley said coldly, "How dare you disrespect Master Hahn. Got a death wish? Take your daughter and beat it, or I'll make you regret it." With that, he didn't spare the pair a glance. He pulled Ramon along and headed straight for the waiting luxury sedan.

Chapter 3: I'll Make You Pay

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