Anthon raised a brow. His eyes were red as he glared at Timmy. "What? You're late, and now want to rebel? Who gives you such arrogance, huh?"

Timmy balled his fists on his sides and lowered his head. He bit his lower lip as he spoke in a timid shivering tone, "Bro-brother Anthon, my work is important to me. But… but I can't do such a job. I… I really can't."

Pearls of tears suddenly dropped with a plop on the floor, and since their distance was close to each other, Anthon had caught a glance of them which confused him.

Anthon frowned. "What are you crying for?" 

Timmy just shook his head in response.

"Raise your head and answer me!" Anthon said in a low yet angry voice. "Damn it!"

Just like before, Timmy only shook his head with his head hung low. His tears were like streams that he couldn't stop flowing, but he did not intend others to see it, so, while hiding his face, he persuaded himself not to cry anymore.

Tears were a disgrace for a real man. That's what most men Timmy knew said.

Anthon swiftly extended his hand without a word to lift Timmy's head, and the reaction that Timmy gave back to him stunned him to the core.

Before Anthon could touch Timmy's head, he abruptly stepped back and badly fell on his butt on the floor. Then  he hugged his trembling legs as he looked up to Anthon fretfully. He didn't talk and only gazed at Anthon with empty eyes and subconscious fear. He was like someone who had been through a very unspeakable and unbearable adversity. 

As if…

The current person who was facing him was a beast.

He was scared to death. But could only resign to fate and accept his punishment.

"How did I scare you?" Anthon towered him grudgingly. "Get up and work! You damn man, you have grown taller and older, how could you still cry? Tears were disgraceful for a real man, don't you know that?" Anthon rubbed his temples. "You're such a headache."

Timmy gave a deaf ear and waved his hand as he whispered,  chasing Anthon away. "You— don't touch me, I begged you!"

"Shit! Are you crazy?" Anthon sneered. 

How things become like this? Why did he feel Timmy is really scared of him for real?

He could see it through his eyes. Timmy has no way to deceive him.

Anthon looked around to call some men to carry Timmy upstairs. He ignored the fact that Timmy wasn't in good condition. Since Timmy was there for work, then he had to work whatever hardship he had been through.

When Anthon found three of their men on duty roaming in a corner to ensure the safety of everyone in the bar, he yelled loudly at them, enough for them to hear him under the buzzing of the deafening music, pointing, "You three, come over here and carry this stubborn man! Bring him to room 216 upstairs. Remember to send him there. If something goes wrong, you three prepare your heads! You're very aware, Mr. Villaruel is not someone you can offend... Now hurry and bring him there!"

"Yes. Yes, Brother Anthon!" The three robust men immediately walked over to take Timmy away. But they were nailed on the floor in surprise when Timmy suddenly stood up and asked with round misty eyes fixated at Anthon, grasping Anthon's arm tightly. As if he had forgotten how he looked at him earlier.

"Bro-brother Anthon,  who… just who's Villaruel did you mention just now?... Are you… Are you referring to Oliver Villaruel?"

"Impudence!" Anthon shook him off. "Who are you to call him by his name just like that? You don't deserve it!"

Anthon was agitated. He looked at Timmy with killing intent. His fists clenched and his body trembled as he suppressed his erupted rage. If he wanted to end someone's life, he could ignore the gazes of everyone, but he couldn't tonight as it was his Lady Boss's birthday. Although he had been with underground power for so many years, he believed it's unlucky to shed blood on such a happy and special occasion.

Timmy stubbornly grabbed Anthon's arm again, and that action made the three men gulped with their heart stuck in their throats. They were aware how much Anthon controlled not to break someone's neck at the moment but a certain person still dared to get close to him.

Anthon's lips pursed into a tight line as he shot a dark glance to his arm and moved up to Timmy's rueful face. He was about to snap his hands away and planned to throw a punch on the latter's face when he suddenly heard him exclaim something explosive, "Take me to him! I want to see him!"

Anthon probed him from head to toe with a frown on his forehead as bulge as a mountain. His killing stare was replaced with confusion and alertness. As if what Timmy said was something serious and impossible.

"What made you change your mind in an instant?" Anthon mumbled. "Didn't you say you can't?"

Timmy clasped his hands together, playing it like he was bending something flexible. He couldn't tell what reason he had exactly, so his eyes wandered around. He couldn't bring himself to look at Anthon's eyes. "I‐ I, I suddenly realised that… that… oh, just bring me there!"

Anthon clutched Timmy's throat. Gritted his teeth, he warned threateningly, "I dare you do something wrong to him. Otherwise, I will make you wish you are better off dead than alive. Do you hear me?"

Timmy forcefully slapped Anthon's arms. He wanted to be free as he felt suffocated by the latter's grip. He also felt that his feet left the floor and so he was terrified, especially as he thought that his effort to find his childhood friend was soon to be realised. "Let go. Let go of me. I, brother Anthon, you, you get me wrong. I… look at me. I'm weak, and, and co-ward. How, how can I possibly do something to him?"

Anthon stared at Timmy for a while right through his eyes. As if he was digging the truth in his soul. When he thought how pusillanimous the other person was, he put him down and retracted his hand. With a warning death glare, he said, "Remember who you are. I won't let you off if you do something wrong— What are you waiting for now? Want me to carry you there?"

Timmy was like a scaredy kitten. He responded with a fretting 'oh-oh' sound as he made his way upstairs with his head down. As if he had just received some amnesty. 

Timmy had just taken several hurried steps when someone shouted in a panic tone, "Timmy, wait!"