A Man Like None Other - Season 5 Episode 63

The Weak Get Devoured

The table sighed as one, expressing their unspoken condolences for Ingrid’s fate.

The date of the wedding is already set. What else can we do, go back on our word? Dog will kill us!

“Aunt Sarah,” Jared declared, “I’ve decided to help Ingrid get out of the engagement and then send her over to Horington for further studies.”

“Are you joking?” Sarah exclaimed. “Breaking a promise made with Dog is to ask for death!”

“Don’t act foolishly, Jared,” Hannah added sharply. “You have no idea what kind of a man Dog is. Your actions will only bring harm upon your aunt’s family!”

Even the usually reticent Gary spoke up. “Dog isn’t as simple as you think he is, son. I know you think you can go against Dog just because you have a few friends in Horington, but I’m telling you that you have no idea what you’re up against.”

Gary was aware of his son’s connections. In addition to the wealth of Josephine’s family, the reach that the resources at his fingertips were capable of providing was undoubtedly vast and deep. However, Jared’s powerful friends had no jurisdiction over Avenport.

“I’ve already made up my mind,” proclaimed Jared. “Stay out of it, everybody!”

If I can’t even deal with a small-time gangster like him, I’ll truly be a laughing stock.

Being familiar with her fiancé’s temper, Ingrid was visibly upset at her cousin’s resolution. “I know you want the best for me, Jared, but I don’t wish to see you place yourself in harm’s way. Please drop this, will you?”

“You’re only nineteen, Ingrid. How can you resign yourself to your fate? This is something you’re going to live with for the rest of your life. Do you want to throw it all away by giving your life to Dog? You should be in university and finding a man deserving of you instead of settling for your circumstances. Don’t give up! I’ll help you through this.”

Ingrid fell silent along with the rest of the table. Jared is right. I have my whole life ahead of me. I shouldn’t have to squander it all away for Dog!

Sarah sighed heavily before swallowing the entire glass of white wine to everybody’s surprise.

I worry for my child, as all parents do. It’s just an unfortunate circumstance that we are placed in. Well, I guess it’s something we have to accept. There is no justice in the world, only hierarchy. The strong get stronger, the weak get devoured. That’s the law of nature.

At that moment, Ingrid’s phone rang. After several brief exchanges, Ingrid hung up and looked positively pale.

“What is it, Ingrid?” Sarah asked with concern.

“Dog wants me to drink with them,” she said with a fearful look on her face. “I’m a little scared.”

Sarah whimpered helplessly. What else could I say? If I don’t allow my daughter to go over, it will only incense Dog!

“I’ll come with you, Ingrid,” declared Jared as he got to his feet. “Don’t you worry.”

Josephine got to her feet as well. “I’ll come too! There’s no need to be scared.”

“Don’t lash out under any circumstances, Jared,” reminded Sarah anxiously. “We’ll discuss this at length after we deal with this crisis.”

“Don’t worry, Aunt Sarah. I know what to do.”

After a final nod at the elders, Jared led the way over to the bigger suite while Josephine whispered words of encouragement to Ingrid whose tremble became more violent with every step they took.

A bout of raucous laughter followed by the clinking of glasses greeted their ears as soon as the party arrived at the doors of Larold’s suite.

Jared shoved the door open.

Five men sat around a table with drinks in their hands. In the middle was a middle-aged man with a massive bald patch on his head. Dog sat beside him with an unctuous smile as he was refilling the latter’s glass repeatedly.

Looks like the bald man is the famous Larold Charleston!

The occupants of the large suite were momentarily taken aback at the suddenness of Jared’s intrusion. Dog glanced at Jared and then at the women behind him as he hastened to introduce them to Larold. “Mr. Charleston, this is the cousin of my fiancée. He must have known that you were dining here tonight and have come to toast to your good health!”