A Matrilocal Husband's Counterattack

Chapter 13: Begging for Mercy

"Ah—!"

With a powerful kick, Ethan sent Kevin Lin flying four to five meters away.

Kevin's body collided with three of his companions, knocking them onto a table. Plates and dishes crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces.

The restaurant was in utter chaos, and everyone stared at Ethan in stunned silence.

Those with a discerning eye could tell from Kevin's attire, worth tens of thousands, that he wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Sophia also froze, not expecting Ethan's sudden outburst. While worry rose in her heart, the disappointment she had felt earlier vanished completely.

"You bastard, how dare you hit me?!"

Kevin Lin staggered to his feet, clutching his face and sneering viciously. "You're dead."

Five or six of his companions glared arrogantly at Ethan and Sophia, while the pretty waitress summoned several burly security guards.

Ethan ignored them entirely, focusing his cold gaze on Kevin.

"I'll give you one chance," he said icily. "Kneel and apologize to my wife. If you don't, you'll lose a hand today."

The diners scoffed at Ethan's audacity, doubting he had the ability to back up his words.

"You idiot, who do you think you are?"

The waitress snapped angrily. "What right do you have to challenge Mr. Lin?"

"Do you even know who he is?!"

"He's the manager of a branch of the Five Lakes Group and a relative of Ms. Scarlet. He's part of the upper class! You, on the other hand, are nothing but a backwater nobody!"

Her outrage was palpable. For Ethan to strike Kevin Lin, a figure from high society, was nothing short of rebellion.

Hearing that Kevin was a manager at the Five Lakes Group and a relative of Ms. Scarlet, the crowd gasped collectively.

Ethan is done for, they thought. And Sophia will suffer too.

That was the consensus among the spectators, many of whom eyed Ethan with disdain, seeing him as a foolish troublemaker.

Kevin, enjoying the awe-filled stares of the onlookers, covered his face and led his group toward Ethan.

"You bastard, smashing a bottle on my head? Impressive."

"Nobody in ZH City has dared to treat me like this before."

"You're the first. I have to admit, you've got guts."

"But let me tell you, you've made a huge mistake."

Kevin's expression twisted into one of pure malice.

"You'd better kneel, break the hand you used to hit me, and hand over your woman to me."

"If you don't, you'll be begging for mercy by the end of today. Maybe I won't take your life, but you'll wish I had."

As Kevin finished speaking, several of his friends closed in, gripping bottles in their hands, ready to strike.

Sophia's face turned pale. "What are you doing? If you dare touch him, I'll call the police!"

The waitress scoffed. "The police? They're all Mr. Lin's buddies."

"Don't worry, Sophia. I'll handle this," Ethan said calmly, holding Sophia back.

He turned to Kevin, his tone ice-cold. "Looks like you've chosen to give up your chance to beg for mercy."

Kevin spat in contempt. "You think you're worthy of making me beg?"

Ethan reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and tossed it onto Kevin's chest.

"How about now?"

Kevin snorted derisively. "What's this supposed to be?"

The waitress chimed in mockingly, "Probably a bank card to bribe Mr. Lin..."

"As if Mr. Lin needs money! He wants your hand and your woman, not your lousy cash!"

Kevin glanced at the card dismissively.

But that single glance made him shudder as if he had been burned by a hot iron.

The words "Vermillion Card" glared back at him, piercing into his eyes like needles.

The Vermillion Card of the Five Lakes Group?!

Kevin's face went pale. His hands trembled as he examined the card from top to bottom, inside and out, hoping it was a fake.

But it wasn't.

Cold sweat poured down his face.

It's over. It's all over. He had messed up big time.

For the first time in his life, Kevin wanted to castrate himself.

Ethan poured himself a glass of wine and asked nonchalantly, "What's wrong, Manager Lin? Don't you recognize it?"

Kevin stammered, "This... this..."

He fumbled with the card before shoving it back into Ethan's hands, his movements panicked and clumsy.

The Vermillion Card didn't just signify that its owner was a VIP of the Five Lakes Group—it also symbolized Ms. Scarlet's absolute authority.

Ms. Scarlet wasn't just a CEO; to those who knew her better, she was known by another name: the Black Widow.

Kevin knew better than to cross her. His distant familial ties to her were insignificant compared to the weight of the card in Ethan's hands.

Desperate for clarity, Kevin pulled out his phone to make a call.

Moments later, his face was drenched in sweat as he hung up.

Ms. Scarlet had only one thing to say: Ethan was the most distinguished guest of the Five Lakes Group, someone whose honor must be protected at all costs—even if it meant Kevin's life.

The world seemed to spin as Kevin realized the depth of his mistake.

With a loud "thud," he dropped to his knees.

The entire restaurant fell silent in shock.

"Mr. Ethan, Young Master Ethan, I'm sorry!" Kevin cried, slapping himself repeatedly.

"I didn't recognize who you were. Please, show mercy. Give me another chance!"

The restaurant patrons were stunned.

Sophia, too, was taken aback. She hadn't expected Kevin Lin, a branch manager of the Five Lakes Group, to kneel so quickly.

The waitress was utterly confused. She grabbed Kevin and shouted, "Mr. Lin, what are you doing?! Why are you kneeling to this nobody?"

"Shut your mouth!" Kevin roared, slapping her to the ground.

"If you insult Mr. Ethan again, I'll kill you myself!"

Tears streamed down Kevin's face as he turned back to Ethan, kowtowing furiously.

"Mr. Ethan, I was wrong. I'll never offend you again."

"Madam, I'm so sorry. I'll never make such a mistake again."

"I'll do whatever you ask—just please spare my life!"

The sight of Kevin groveling left the crowd in disbelief.

The waitress, who had been so confident earlier, was now too scared to breathe.

Sophia's cheeks flushed as she heard Kevin call her "Madam."

"Ethan," she whispered, "he's apologized. Let's leave it at that..."

Ethan picked up a steak knife and drove it into Kevin's left hand.

"Apologies won't fix everything," Ethan said coldly. "That's what the police are for."

Blood spurted from Kevin's hand as the restaurant erupted into chaos once more.