Chapter 607: James Yelric, the Devil

Chapter 607: Chapter 607: James Yelric, the Devil

"It smells so good!" Glenn smelled the aroma, climbed out of bed, and drooled as he leaned against the window. "Dad, what are you eating?"

The scar-faced man heard him, glanced back, and handed him a skewer of pork belly.

"Thanks, Dad!" Glenn took the skewer and sniffed it hard. "It smells so, so good!" he said, swallowing his saliva.

He turned to look at Willow. "Sister, we’re having barbecue!"

Willow rolled over, her back to him, and replied in a muffled voice, "I don’t want any. I’m going to sleep. You eat it."

"It smells really good, though. Are you sure you don’t want any, Sister?" Glenn asked in surprise.

The scar-faced man must have heard them, as he shouted, "Just eat it yourself. Don’t mind her."

"But I want to share with my sister..." Glenn’s voice trailed off.

"Hurry up and eat. Go to sleep when you’re done," the scar-faced man urged.

"Okay," Glenn answered quietly.

Willow closed her eyes, her mind filled with the words her mother had said before she disappeared.

’James, can you please stop forcing me?’

’I really can’t do it. I’m begging you, please stop pushing me, okay?’

’James, I’m your wife! I’m not some woman who just sells herself on the street!’

’Ah! It hurts... I’m in so much pain...’

Willow curled up tightly, not daring to think any further.

’Mom must have been beaten by James Yelric again that day.’

’He’s so awful. He hits Mom for no reason.’

Ever since Glenn got a little older, Willow was often woken up in the middle of the night. James Yelric would get drunk and always beat their mother.

One time, Willow mustered the courage to run out and protect her mother, telling James Yelric to stop hitting her.

But he was drunk and acting like a madman. He didn’t just hit their mother; he was going to hit her, too.

She and her mother were both terrified.

Her mother knelt on the floor, begging James Yelric not to hurt Willow.

After that day, her mother warned Willow not to get up, no matter what she heard at night.

The more Willow tried not to remember, the more the sounds she heard that night echoed in her mind.

She had heard her mother crying nonstop.

Her mother had said it hurt so, so much...

’The pain must have been unbearable. That’s why Mom left all by herself, in secret.’

Willow clenched her small fists, making a secret vow in her heart.

’One day, I’ll leave this place and find Mom.’

’I’ll get away from James Yelric, who turns into a monster whenever he drinks.’

CRASH—

Willow was startled awake by the sound of shattering glass.

Her eyelashes trembled, but she didn’t dare open her eyes.

James Yelric, completely drunk, smashed an empty liquor bottle on the floor, cursing, "Fuck, everyone’s pushing me! You’re all a bunch of fucking good-for-nothings!"

He used the balcony railing to pull himself up and staggered into the house.

Glancing at the two children sleeping soundly in the room, James Yelric kicked the door panel. Seeing no reaction from either of them, he turned and went back to the living room to smoke.

A moment later, he suddenly kicked over the small table in front of him and roared angrily, "Polly Eames, why the fuck won’t you help me?"

Glenn, who had been sound asleep, was startled awake. He mumbled, "What was that sound?"

Willow quickly covered his mouth, signaling him to be quiet.

’James Yelric is going crazy again. It’ll be terrible if he storms in here and hits me and my brother.’

James Yelric grabbed a stool, stormed furiously into the kitchen, and started smashing it against the freezer, which was sealed with tape. Each blow was harder than the last.

"I’m about to be ruined, and you’re still trying to play the chaste martyr?"

Willow hugged her little brother as hot tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.

She suddenly felt incredibly relieved.

Relieved that her mother had already left this place.

Otherwise, she would have been beaten again tonight, beaten until it hurt so, so much.

**

「The next day, the sun was shining brightly in a clear, cloudless sky.」

Renee Jennings left right after breakfast.

Michelle Fuller and Sean Fuller were still at the Jennings’ house. The siblings had volunteered to cook a meal for everyone today.

On her way to the police station, Renee Jennings was still worried that her kitchen might get blown up.

"Renee, what are you doing here so early?" Sawyer said with a smile, waving at her.

Renee Jennings entered the office and chuckled. "Morning, Sawyer. Has Zachary arrived yet?"

"Not yet," Sawyer said. "He’s probably on his way."

Hearing this, Renee Jennings pulled up a stool and sat down beside her. "Sawyer, is there anyone you like?"

Sawyer: "Yup."

Renee Jennings’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You like someone?" she asked, surprised.

"You, of course," Sawyer said with a brilliant smile.

"Oh, I see." Renee Jennings started laughing. "I meant someone of the opposite sex. Anyone like that?"

Sawyer shook her head. "Nope, not really."

"Do you have any plans to date?"

"Not really."

Renee Jennings raised an eyebrow and patted her on the shoulder. "Great minds think alike."

"Morning. What are you two talking about?" Levi Hollis asked, walking in with a cup of soy milk.

Renee Jennings and Sawyer exchanged a look and said with a laugh, "It’s a secret."

"I see." Levi Hollis set down the soy milk and nodded earnestly. "Since it’s a ladies’ secret, I won’t pry."

He finished speaking, yawned, and asked, "We’re going to the hospital to see Levi Brooks in a bit. Are you guys coming?"

Renee Jennings: "Yes, but first I need to see his cat."

"Levi Brooks’s cat is here." Zachary Conway walked over, holding a pure white Napoleon cat.

Dumpling’s big, round eyes looked around curiously.

"Hey, little cutie." Renee Jennings waved at the cat. "I’m Renee. What’s your name?"

"Meow~ Dumpling."

"Good boy." Renee Jennings stroked its head and asked, "Dumpling, what’s your owner’s name?"

Dumpling: "My owner’s name is Levi Brooks."

"Come here, let me hold you." Renee Jennings held out her hands. "Let’s go to the conference room to talk, okay?"

Dumpling willingly nestled into her arms.

Sawyer followed them into the conference room with a notebook.

"Dumpling, have you eaten?" Renee Jennings asked.

Dumpling replied obediently, "Meow~ Yes, I have. That human brother fed me."

"That’s good." Renee Jennings petted its fur as she spoke. "Can you tell me what’s happened at home these past two days? Why did that Gregory Dawson tie up Levi Brooks and hit him?"

At the mention of this, Dumpling immediately became agitated. Its back stiffened, its fur stood on end, and its meows grew frantic.

"MEOW MEOW MEOW! That bad guy suddenly came to the house! He told my owner to treat him to a meal, so my owner ordered takeout for him."

This happened in the early morning of September 7th.

Gregory Dawson showed up at Levi Brooks’s home unexpectedly.

Levi Brooks opened the door and saw the person standing outside. A look of astonishment crossed his face. "Gregory Dawson?"

Gregory Dawson was covered in dust, and his hair was greasy. "Levi Brooks, long time no see."

Levi Brooks looked at him, puzzled. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Can I come in?" Gregory Dawson asked, craning his neck to look at the living room behind him.

Levi Brooks hesitated for a few seconds, but out of politeness, he stepped aside to let him in. "Please, come in."

The soles of Gregory Dawson’s shoes were caked with thick mud, but he showed no intention of taking them off, stepping directly onto the clean, soft carpet.

Levi Brooks frowned at the sight.