Soon enough, Wally, Tyson's father, along with dozens of his men, peacefully entered the dimly lit hall.
"You brought help?"
Tom was stunned at first as it was overwhelming to see dozens of men following Wally.
The idea gave him a reason to smile with sarcasm.
'This city is my turf now. No matter how many men you bring, it will not help your authority, ' Tom thought to himself.
"Ha-ha, my dear brother, forgive my manners.
Now that my son is going to marry your granddaughter, we will be even closer, more like a family.
I am so excited as I think of it!"
Tom was sitting at the center of the hall. He laughed at what was happening yet he had no intention of leaving his seat to greet Wally.
"Ungrateful bastard. I should have killed you before when I had the chance.
It was my fault being soft and letting you leave this city! It greatly caused trouble that we still experience today!
Listen to me Tom and listen to me good. Your son, Jamie, is not going to marry my granddaughter!"
Wally pointed his finger at Tom as he shouted in anger.
Before his arrival, Austin had made it clear to him that there would be no reason for him not to proceed with his plan of massacring the entire residence of castellan.
So under such life and death circumstances, Wally would not hold anything back.
"Bullshit!"
Tom was totally infuriated.
"Look around Wally. Observe. Just take a good look at the situation.
Do you really think that you are still the castellan of this city?
Wally, that bitch is going to marry to my son and be one of his wives
whether you like it or not.
I am warning you! Don't test me.
You know that I could have all your men slaughtered right here in this room just with a single command."
Wally would never have thought of how Tom could take such a tough stance. He even dared talking like this after four to five years of restraining himself from having a confrontation.
Anger raged in his heart and it reflected on his red face and shaking hands.
"Servant!
I am calling for a clan meeting where I will announce the matrimony between my son, Jamie, and Chyna.
If Wally dares to disobey this decision ruled by our clan, he shall be banished from the sect forever!"
Tom looked a bit ferocious with his face twisting.
"Wally! I don't think you have a chance when you are up against me."
Soon enough after the servant called for the members, the clan members were complete, ready to deliberate at the hall.
It was, indeed, an important event as lines of chairs and desks had been arranged prior to their arrival.
According to Austin's suggestion, Wally took his men with him and found a place to stay.
Soon enough, the hall was filled with people, grand or ordinary alike.
From the head count and the immediate response of the members, one could tell that this was one of the top clans in this city.
"Lester! How dare you to show your face here?"
Wally was fueled with anger and suddenly stared at an old man in a grey robe.
The old man turned out to be Wally's blood brother yet he chose to side with Tom.
He was totally ashamed so lowered his head to avoid eye contact with Wally.
After several minutes, every member was well seated as they awaited for the big announcement.
Austin observed that there were eight other elder men seated in the same row as Tom.
He then inferred that these men must have been the talked-about eight elders of the clan.
Then Tom stood up as he stared at Wally with much joy and satisfaction, ready to announce what would lower his pride.
He cleared his voice and announced, "The reason I am calling for this meeting, I think, is crystal-clear for each and every one of you.
Now as the leader of our clan, I am obligating Chyna to be the seventh wife of my son, Jamie.
If there is any objection to this decision, this is time to speak."
As expected, pairs of eyes deliberately turned to Wally's family after hearing Tom's proclamation.
Their faces were a canvass of mixed emotions. Some were filled with insult and sarcasm, others with sympathy and pity, but all, regardless of degree of acquaintance with Wally's family, definitely had their own strong reactions.
"We, the eight elders, are onboard with the leader's decision."
One of the elders stood and articulated the resolution in agreement with their leader.
"The elders are truly the wise ones," someone muttered.
"Alas! Our eight respected elders, you all have really honored my dead father with your decision."
Wally stared at the elders and laughed in extreme anger.
All the elders' face turned red, borderline ashamed.
"Wally, things have changed now. You must recognize your place,"
said one of the elders in a miff as he was taken aback by how Wally received the decision.
Tom nodded at the elders as he felt validated by their approval.
He then shot a stern look, without any regret, at the rest of the clan members.
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