Thunderlord

Chapter 6

Bryson carried Bella as she and Audrey strolled along the roadside.

Suddenly, a sleek black Maybach pulled up beside them and out stepped Phoebe.

Bryson acknowledged her with a brief nod, and she drove away without a word.

Audrey had often talked about wanting a simple life, and Bryson knew her well enough to want to surprise her and Bella during the Worship Ceremony.

With that thought in mind, Bryson waved down a taxi.

Just as Audrey and Bella climbed into the taxi, Mason appeared with his bodyguards.

His fierce expression was backed by over thirty security personnel, each armed with steel pipes and electric batons, more than double what he'd had before.

Bryson quickly shielded Bella's view and said gently, "Hey, Bella, why don't you go have some ice cream with Mommy while you wait for Daddy? I'll join you soon."

"Okay, Daddy," she replied, her voice sweet.

He ruffled her hair affectionately and turned to Audrey, saying, "Don't worry. I'll be there shortly."

"Bryson, just promise you won't get into trouble," Audrey urged, holding onto his hand a moment longer.

"Don't worry about me."

As the taxi pulled away, Mason's voice rang out behind them.

"Stop! You're not allowed to leave."

Dozens of bodyguards quickly surrounded Bryson, forming a tight circle.

Mason's cold voice cut through the tension, "Do you think the Russell family is a place where you can just come and go as you please? You can't stir up trouble here and expect to walk away unscathed!"

He threatened, "Bryson, since you were once a useless son-in-law of the Russell family, I'll give you a chance. Come back with me, apologize publicly, and disable yourself. Maybe then I'll consider letting you and your family go."

"Do as Mr. Lane says!"

"Or we'll beat the sh*t out of you!"

The bodyguards yelled, trying to intimidate Bryson.

Mason pointed at him. "Are you f*cking deaf? Did you hear me?"

But Bryson remained unfazed, calm as ever.

The chaos surrounding him couldn't sway his emotions. He only cared for the two most precious family members in his life. He didn't give a f*ck what they were saying.

Impatient, Mason hissed, "You don't seem to understand what's going on. Guys, break his arms!"

"Yes, sir!" the bodyguards shouted in agreement.

Mason picked his ear and added, "Remember, don't break his legs just yet. We want him crawling over to apologize to the head of the family!"

The guards approached Bryson threateningly, but he stood his ground without flinching.

Then, with a deafening crash, four of them were suddenly thrown back, hitting the ground hard, bloodied and unconscious.

Silence fell over the scene.

"What just happened?"

"How did he do that?"

"How did those four get sent flying?"

Mason swallowed hard, fear creeping into his heart. These four were the best bodyguards money could buy, and they were equipped with electric batons, but they were completely helpless against Bryson.

"Take him! Everyone, attack him together!" Mason roared.

The remaining bodyguards exchanged wary glances before reluctantly charging at Bryson, swinging their weapons.

But in a split second, Bryson lifted his foot, and with a swift motion, every guard that charged at him was on the ground, groaning and bleeding.

A few lay there with broken ribs, wailing in pain.

They finally realized the vast strength difference between them and the man before them.

Mason's disbelief was palpable as he murmured, "How is this possible? He took over thirty bodyguards down alone?"

They hadn't even seen when Bryson moved.

Suddenly, Bryson appeared in front of Mason, his hand resting on Mason's shoulder, making him shudder almost to the ground.

"Bryson, it's all my fault. We're family, so please don't hit me. I was always good to you back in the day. Remember how we used to drink together?"

"Drink?" Bryson replied with a light smile, tapping his forehead and adding, "Sure, I remember. You wouldn't let me sit at the family table and made poured me drinks with your shoes."

"I'm not mistaken, am I?" he asked playfully.

Mason panicked, "Bry... Bryson, I know you don't hold grudges. We're still family, so please spare me."

"Spare you?"

"Yes, I'll give you anything you want..."

As Mason spoke, his hand slyly reached behind him, grabbing a handgun tucked into his waistband.

"Listen, Bryson..."

Suddenly, he pulled out the pistol, its cold barrel leveled at Bryson.

"Go to hell!"

Bang!

A bullet raced toward Bryson's forehead.

The next moment, Mason's eyes went wide with shock, his face drained of color as he stared at Bryson, who looked like a devil.

Bryson casually flicked the bullet he had pinched between his fingers onto the ground.

"Type 54 military handgun, eight-round capacity, 7.62mm ammunition."

A sly, sinister smile spread across Bryson's face, sending chills down Mason's spine.

Sweat poured down Mason's forehead as fear consumed him, his face Ashen.

'Who is this guy?'

Mason trembled, forcing the words out through shaking lips. "I'm sorry... I acted on impulse. Please forgive me!"

Bryson narrowed his deep-set eyes, grabbing Mason's hand along with the gun.

"Ah... Ahhh!"

Mason screamed in agony, his voice raw.

With just one hand, Bryson crushed it as if crumpling paper, the metal shards and blood slipping between his fingers.

The bodyguards looked on, paralyzed with fear.

"God..."

"Is he still a human?"

The shocking scene overwhelmed their senses, creating lingering psychological turmoil.

Bryson opened his hands, the gun and Mason's right hand now nothing but dust.

Clap!

He clapped his hands, his bright eyes zeroing in on a piece of paper that had fallen from behind Mason.

The few words on it made Bryson's eyes widen in an instant.

He kicked Mason aside, who was still wailing, and bent down to pick up the paper.