Chapter 237
A burst of vicious barking ripped through the courtyard.
General came out of nowhere and charged straight at Zac, barking furiously as Winter stood in his arms. He circled them over and over, letting out low, threatening growls.
“ Zac, let go of me first. General will bite you p>
But Zac only tightened his arms around her. “Then let him p>
Winter frowned. Zac could be just as stubborn as Chris.
She had barely finished speaking when she caught sight of General lunging at them from the corner of her eye.
“General, no p>
A dark figure strode in from the side. Chris grabbed Zac by the collar with one hand and wrenched him away from
Winter.
Chris was strong, and Zac had grown noticeably thinner over the past few days. On top of that, he was still injured and weak. Once Chris pulled him off, Zac staggered back a couple of steps before he managed to steady himself.
Seeing Winter’s eyes red and glassy, and Zac looking just as shaken, Chris let out a cold laugh that cut straight through the air.
“What? You have that many grievances to air out to your dear Zac p>
Winter froze. Her eyes reddened instantly.
The moment Chris saw her reaction, his breathing turned heavy and restrained. His clenched fist gave a low crack.
He took a step toward her on instinct, but Winter lowered her head and backed away several steps. A gust of wind swept through the courtyard, and it seemed to drain the last bit of color from her face.
Hearing the commotion, Gavin came out of the guesthouse and immediately saw the three people in the courtyard, along with the Maybach sitting nearby with its door still open.
He frowned.
Zac and Dominic had always been allowed through the gates at Blackwood Manor. Even after Chris and Zac fell out, no order had ever been given to change that. That was how Zac had gotten in.
It was Gavin’s oversight.
The moment Zac saw how hurt Winter looked, he strode over to her side. “Winnie, come with me p>
Chris’s gaze dropped to the hand gripping Winter’s arm, and his expression darkened.
He lifted one hand.
Winter’s expression changed immediately.
Just as she expected, the security men hidden around Blackwood Manor appeared at once.
If Chris was calling them out, then he was not bluffing.
She stepped in front of Zac without hesitation, shielding him behind her. “What are you doing? He’s injured. Don’t tell me you forgot that p>
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She knew exactly what Chris’s men were capable of. Even if Zac hadn’t been hurt, he still wouldn’t have been a match for any of them.
Chris’s dark eyes were full of cold fury as he stared at her. His voice was sharp as ice. “You’re protecting him p>
“ Winnie.” Zac tightened his grip on her arm, his voice low and tense. “Move. He forced you to come back to Blackwood Manor, didn’t he? I’m taking you with me p>
Seeing that he was really about to confront Chris, Winter spun around, grabbed Zac, and dragged him toward the
car.
She said coldly, “Don’t get involved in my life anymore. I’m not going to appreciate it. You said before that whether I accepted you or not, you would still stay by my side. Then let me say this clearly. Don’t stay by my side anymore. I don’t need you p>
Zac’s face went pale. His bloodless lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
“Go.” Winter yanked open the rear car door, shoved him inside, and urged his bodyguard, “Get him out of here p>
The car drove off.
Winter turned and led General back toward the main house.
She had already been carrying a whole day of grief, and Chris’s words only deepened the sense of hurt and grievance twisting inside her, making it hard to breathe.
Then suddenly, Chris stepped in front of her and blocked her path.
Seeing how hurt and wronged she looked, all he could think about was the way she had stood in front of Zac to protect him.
His expression turned cold. “Have you forgotten who had you kidnapped on that ship p>
“And does that mean Zac has to pay for what his father did?” Winter shot back.
The moment the words left her mouth, the entire courtyard seemed to go still.
Even Gavin immediately thought of the old grudge between Chris and Winter’s parents‘ generation.
A terrifying chill gathered between Chris’s brows.
Then the second Winter looked up, he forced it all back down.
All that remained was endless coldness.
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Florence
A passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.