The one and the Only (Nathan Cross)

Chapter 11 A Violent Threat

Paul discovered that Nathan and Benson's family were dining at Cloud Palace.

Together with Dico and his gang of thugs, Paul Smith and his party were about to storm into Cloud Palace to look for Benson.

A dozen security guards were dressed in suits, standing in front of the entrance like human barricades, barring them from entering the restaurant.

Exasperated, Paul Smith roared at the group of guards, "Get out of my way!"

A man with a large greenish birthmark on the left side of his face stepped up. "We have been instructed by our boss, Mr. Thomas Dunn, not to accept any guests into our restaurant for the time being. Some very important guests of his are dining in our restaurant right now, and Mr. Dunn doesn't want them to be disturbed," he announced coldly.

"Get out of my sight, you green-faced monster." Dico yelled at Jack with a menacing look, "We are here with Mr. Smith to look for somebody, not to wine and dine. Move aside!"

"What nerve you have to come to Mr. Dunn's turf and make a scene here? Who do you think you are?" Jack tossed his head, "I'm giving you one last chance to get lost, or I'll make sure that they carry you away in stretchers instead."

It was an open secret in the Eastern District that Thomas Dunn was the undisputed big daddy in town and that Jack was his most trusted sidekick, who was known to be extremely cruel and ruthless.

As Paul looked over Jack's shoulder, he could see Nathan dining with Benson and his family inside Cloud Palace.

Given that this was Jack's territory, Paul knew that he was outnumbered by Jack's men. Besides, it was only the pill that he had wanted, not a confrontation with Jack and his men.

"Look here, Jack. The guy I'm looking for is sitting right inside. Can you do me a favor and let me in?" Paul Smith turned to a more civilized approach.

But the answer was still the same from Jack, who kept his unapproachable tone, "No. Our guests of Mr. Dunn are still having their meals now. Nobody shall be allowed inside the restaurant. Get your ass out of here or I'll make you pay for your stubbornness."

"What's the plan now, Mr. Smith?" Dico muttered to Paul.

Paul sucked in a deep breath to clear his mind, "Okay, let's get out of here first," he ordered, "but leave a guy here to keep a close eye over them, and get him to call us once Benson steps foot out of the place."

Knowing that he was no match for Jack and his men, Paul did not dare to stir up trouble in Thomas Dunn's territory. So he took off with his men and left a guy behind to keep a close tab on Benson and his family.

With Paul and most of his men out of the way, Jack did not mind letting the lone guy stayed behind to act as the watchman for Paul, since he knew that Paul was targeting a guest in the restaurant, and not the restaurant itself.

After finishing their lunch, Nathan and Penny's family walked out of the restaurant.

Paul's watchman was standing at some distance away from the restaurant when he called up Paul instantly, "Mr. Smith, Dico, they are coming out of the restaurant."

Bang! Bang! In no time, Paul and Dico, along with a dozen of their men, stormed out of the emergency staircase and charged towards the restaurant.

Benson greeted Paul with a slightly surprised look, "What brings you here, Paul?" he asked.

Paul had never treated Benson with respect. Now that Benson had made him wait for half an hour outside the restaurant, his resentment towards Benson was only increased. "Stop pretending and give it to me now!" Paul demanded.

"What is it you want from me?" Benson knitted his brows, looking puzzled.

"Give me back my Phoenixia and I'll let you go." Paul threatened, "Don't make me use my fists on you."

"Since when did Phoenixia belong to you?" His insolence enraged Leah, "Watch your attitude, Paul. Is this how you would ask for a favor from somebody?"

"Phoenixia was given to dad as his birthday present. We have every right to claim it." Paul presented a smirk and retorted.

"But it doesn't belong to you anymore, since you'd tossed it to the floor," Leah shouted back at him.

"It was given to us as a gift and we have the right to do whatever we want with it." Paul insisted, "We can choose to eat it or dump it, what has it got to do with you?"

"Better heed my call and hand over the Phoenixia immediately. Or else I'll make you suffer a hefty price for not listening to my advice."

"Haven't we seen enough of your bullying and taunting? Do you think that we'll be intimidated by that?" His words would only aggravate Leah's rage to the optimum, as she rolled up her sleeves and seethed, "Show me! I can't wait to see what other tricks you've got up your sleeve!"

Their confrontation was turning nasty, and a smell of violence was in the air, which made Queenie shrivel in Nathan's arms. "I'm afraid, Papa."

Nathan turned to Penny and her family and informed them, "There's an amusement park at level nine, Penny, Benson, and Leah. Why don't you guys take Queenie with you to the park and let me deal with this?"

Given the significant value of Phoenixia, both Benson and Leah agreed that Nathan should have the final say about Phoenixia since it came from his family.

Things would only get complicated if they were to deal with Paul, who would blame them for refusing to save Sean, accusing them of being unfilial.

So they left the matter to Nathan and took Queenie with them to the amusement park at level nine.

Penny stayed behind with Nathan; she was worried for him.

"Stop where you are!" Paul howled at Benson and Leah as he forbade them from leaving.

"The pill is with me." Nathan showed him the pill, "They have nothing to do with the pill and it belongs to me. Talk to me if you want the pill." He explained calmly.

Since it was the pill he was after, Paul let Benson and Leah take Queenie away to the amusement park.

His eyes had not left the pill since Nathan had taken it out, placing it on his palm. "Hey, you! Give that pill to me now."

Penny refused to give in, "What is this, Paul? You guys had rejected the pill and had even thrown it away when we had given it to grandpa as his present. How could you even have the face to come back asking for it?"

"So what if we throw it away? It belongs to us once you've given it away and we can do anything we want with it." Paul rebuffed smugly, "I'm leaving you with two choices now, hand over the pill and I'll pay you a hundred grand, or I'll throw you over to Dico and his gang."

"You know a good bargain, don't you?" Nathan remarked sardonically, "Paying one hundred grand for a pill that costs over ten million? Fat hope!"

His words took Paul by surprise. He did not expect Nathan to know the price of the pill.

Palpitating with fury and fear, Paul snapped, "I've had been trying to be kind to you, kiddo, but you're asking for your own death!"

"Dico, grab the pill!"

His shout clanged like a bell that spurred Dico and his gang into action. Soon a dozen of them surrounded Nathan and Penny.

Dico bared his gums in a grotesque grin, "Time to break some bones here, kiddo! Hehe..." Nathan did not bat an eyelid when he ordered his men in his cool demeanor, "Seize him."

Jack, who had been still as a statue, sprang into action the instant Nathan laid out his order.

A violent brawl broke out, turning the entrance of Cloud Palace instantly into a bloody battleground. It suffused the air with wild, bellowing growls and the tangy, nauseous smell of blood.

Penny trembled with fear as she

covered her mouth to prevent herself from screaming amidst the wave of savage howls and growls. One by one, she watched with horror as Jack and his men knocked down Dico and his gang like dominoes.

The fight was over in a flash. Paul was left stranded on his own when all his men were down on the floor, soaked in a pool of their own blood. "Y-You....y-you guys...." Paul's voice quavered as his eyes flickered between Nathan, Penny, and Jack; his face was drained of all color, as cold as a cadaver. "We'll spare no one who's dared to be rude to the guests of Mr. Dunn," Jack prodded in his cold, menacing tone. "Take him."

His men stepped up and reached out for Paul.

Penny intervened at the last minute, "Let's leave him alone, Nathan. After all, he's my uncle."

Nathan responded with a gentle smile, "Sure, honey." He turned to Jack and commanded, "Let him go, Jack. Didn't you hear what my wife has said?" "Yes, Mr. Cross." Jack halted his men and answered servilely.

"Get Samuel to come and beg

17.

Benson and Leah in person if he wants the pill to save your dad," Nathan said to Paul, who was still shaking uncontrollably in horror "Make sure you tell him that gne needs to be humble if you are asking for a favor."

With that being said, he took Penny's hand and strode away.

A blush made its way across Penny's cheeks when he addressed her as his wife. It sent her heart into a wild frenzy when he held her hand.