Marrying the Man in the Dark

Chapter 1209 Deception's Harrowing Depths

This imprudent and cryptic behavior seemed to epitomize Anthony's character

perfectly.

Anthony found himself abruptly stopped at the exit of Yatesville highway, confronted by none other than Colin, who had once held him in high esteem.

Colin stood before him, watching silently as Anthony was forcibly extracted from his car, anguish evident in his eyes. "Uncle, why must you insist on pushing this further?"

"My brother has spelled things out plainly for you. Unless you visit Aunt Dorothy in the hospital and speak with her, Kenneth's life will be at risk," Colin declared.

Having been brought up by Dorothy and known for his innocence and straightforwardness, Colin struggled to fathom Anthony's actions.

Colin grappled with the reasons behind Anthony's abandonment of Aunt Dorothy, Jude, and even himself. Perhaps love had waned, replaced by resentment. But Kenneth? Colin couldn't fathom Anthony abandoning Kenneth.

Kenneth was his son with Florence, his beloved mistress. Didn't Anthony care for Kenneth any longer? How could someone not love their own flesh and blood, and only care for their own livelihood?

The complexity of these emotions filled Colin's gaze as he looked at Anthony, trying to make sense of it all.

Anthony's expression twisted into a sneer. "Do you take me for a fool?"

"If he lays a hand on Ken, he'll lose any hold over me!" Anthony asserted.

"Even if I run, Ken will remain unharmed! But if I remain here, Damien will chase me down like a hunting dog; he'll take my life!" Anthony's voice rose with urgency.

His eyes blazed crimson as they met Colin's gaze. "If you cherish our years together, release me right now!"

"Damien's coming for me!" Anthony shouted.

With Damien now privy to the truth, Anthony understood he wouldn't escape unscathed. Damien had uncovered the details of Raymond's demise and the circumstances of Charisa's tragic end-all of which were laid bare.

Anthony felt he hadn't lived his life to its fullest. How could he yield so easily to Damien now?

Colin's lips formed a straight line, fixing Anthony with a steady gaze. "My brother doesn't provoke without cause, nor does he treat life lightly."

"What on earth did you do to make you think he'd kill you?"

Anthony narrowed his eyes, wondering if Colin could really be this ignorant.

He couldn't believe that Damien hadn't told him a word.

Seizing on Colin's apparent ignorance, Anthony cleared his throat. "It's natural that he harbors a deep resentment toward me!"

"While he was staying with the Lenoirs, he was not only blind but crippled and bound to a wheelchair day in and day out," he continued.

"He hasn't forgiven me for not returning you back to the Lenoir fold, bitter that I didn't force you to serve him as if you were his slave," Anthony asserted, fabricating his words effortlessly.

"He's been the target of numerous assassination attempts," Anthony added, continuing his deception.

"He thinks if I had sent you back to the Lenoir family sooner, he wouldn't have had

to go through those harrowing ordeals, and that you would be in his place

instead!" Anthony continued, his words flowing with conviction.noveldrama

"He would've grown up in a safer environment!" he concluded.

Colin pressed his lips together firmly.

He knew his uncle was trying to stir up doubts within him, fabricating a bunch of lies.

Jude had already informed Colin about why Damien harbored such disdain for Uncle Anthony. Colin questioned Anthony, hoping he would own up to his misdeeds. Yet, Anthony treated him like an ignorant puppet, refusing to acknowledge his faults.

Even at such a critical point, Anthony still chose to lie to him.

Was Colin so thoroughly manipulated by Anthony that he believed in his supposed goodness?

The situation struck Colin as absurd, and the irony of it was not lost on him. Inhaling a deep breath to steady himself, Colin's gaze moved to the bodyguard standing behind Anthony, holding onto his arm. "Take him to the car."

"Understood, Mr. Gray!" the bodyguard acknowledged.

Once Anthony was securely inside the vehicle, the driver directed his question to Colin. "Mr. Gray, where would you like me to take Mr. Anthony? Do you want me to drive back to the residence?"

Colin sighed heavily, reached into his pocket for a cigarette, and lit it up with his lighter, the fumes covering his face.

In truth, Colin had taken the first step to intercept Anthony because he wanted to give him an opportunity to explain himself.

If Anthony had apologized sincerely, if he had shown any sign of humility, Colin would have secretly let him go.