Chapter 207 Disobedience
The ship surged forward, cutting through the waves. Halfway there, Marvin spotted Ryland’s boat ahead.
In the distance, the silhouette of the isolated island finally came into view.
Sunlight shimmered across the water, blurring the line between sea and sky, painting a picture of calm. But Marvin felt anything but calm.
Standing stiffly on the deck, he couldn’t shake the unease creeping up his spine. His instincts were screaming that something was about to happen.
A crew member rushed over, his voice urgent. “Mr. Doyle! Your uncle is
catching up!”
Marvin stiffened. So Shaun had figured it out. And now, he was coming for
them.
“Jarrod!” Marvin’s voice wavered slightly as he turned to his brother. “What
do we do?”
Jarrod, as always, remained completely unbothered. “Why panic?” His tone was casual. “I’m right here with you.”
The message was clear. As long as Jarrod was here, Shaun wouldn’t dare
make a move.
Shaun’s boat was unbelieably faster. Whatever it was built with, it cut through the water like a blade, overtaking theirs in an instant.
Marvin’s pulse quickened.
As they neared the island, Shaun’s boat was already waiting to intercept them.
“Marvin!” Shaun’s voice was sharp. “So you’ve decided to ignore my advice entirely?”
Marvin instinctively lowered his head, inching behind Jarrod for cover.
But Shaun’s voice was firm. “Come here.”
Marvin’s legs weakened, his body instinctively wanting to obey. But before he could take a step, Jarrod’s arm blocked him, holding him in place.
A smirk tugged at the corner of Jarrod’s lips. “Uncle Shaun, what’s this about?” he asked, his tone laced with mockery. “Is business not keeping you busy enough? You actually have time to meddle in Marvin’s friendships?”
His words hit their mark. Shaun’s expression darkened instantly. Recently, his projects had hit roadblocks, and he knew exactly who was responsible -Jarrod. The brat had been pulling strings behind the scenes, interfering in ways he couldn’t ignore.
His nephew was too clever for his own good.
If only Jarrod had been willing to work under him, maybe Shaun would
have let him off the hook.
But Jarrod hadn’t, so it didn’t matter anymore that he was family.
To achieve great things, sacrifices had to be made. And sometimes, even family had to be dealt with.
Shaun’s gaze locked onto Marvin, his voice edged with warning. “Marvin! Are you really refusing to come back with me?”
That cold, commanding tone had always been enough to make Marvin fall in line. But this time, he lowered his head, standing firm. “Uncle Shaun, I’m sorry. But Renee is my friend. I can’t just leave her behind!”
Shaun’s expression darkened, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face before he quickly concealed it.
“Marvin,” he said slowly, his voice heavy. “Haven’t I taught you that once you choose a path, you have to see it through no matter what? This is your choice. So don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
“Uncle Shaun-” His voice wavered slightly, his body trembling under the tension.
Beside him, Jarrod’s eyes sharpened. “What exactly do you mean by that, Uncle Shaun?”
Shaun didn’t answer his question. Instead, he simply said, “That’s all I have to say.” Then, without another word, he turned and walked away. The sunlight stretched his shadow long across the ground, its loneliness stark against the bright horizon.
Marvin stood frozen, watching his uncle’s retreating figure. A dull ache settled in his chest. This was the man who had looked after him since childhood. And now, for the first time, he had gone against him.
Even when Shaun and Jarrod had been at each other’s throats, neither of them had ever forced Marvin to pick a side. Yet here he was, making a choice to go against Shaun.
Guilt still gnawed at Marvin. But he didn’t move. He didn’t chase after Shaun.
Jarrod, standing beside him, said nothing. He simply reached out and patted Marvin’s shoulder, a quiet reassurance.
Then, a cry breaking the silence. “Look! What’s that?” Sylvia’s voice rang out, sharp with urgency.
