Chapter 21 Darlene's words only worked on Lucian when he was tempted by her beauty ; if it had been anyone else , or if Adrian had been present , he would never have let her off so easily . She left the villa , and the tenderness in her eyes had completely vanished . She wiped the corner of her eye , a faint smile appearing at the edge of her lips . " Woof ! Woof ! Woof ! " Suddenly , the sound of dogs barking rang out . Not far away , the maid was intimidated by the large Dobermanns . She placed their food bowls on the lawn several meters away and dared not get any closer . " That bastard , neglecting his duties and still in the mood to keep dogs ! " Emerson's powerful voice rang out . " Who allowed him to keep these things at home ? " Emerson got out of the car , hearing the noisy barking . He had a violent demeanor , his gaze sharp and shrewd , like a finely honed sword . Lucian's bad temper was inherited from Emerson . Emerson was decisive and efficient , holding the authority over the entire Calder family . He valued lineage and the continuation of the family above all else . He was successful in business , charming , and notoriously amorous . He had numerous lovers and almost fathered an illegitimate child . If it weren't for Vanessa's strong presence , the Calder family's household would have been thrown into chaos . " That unfilial son , where is he hiding !? " Emerson was still seething with anger as he strode toward the villa . The butler , anxious and fearful , said , " Mr. Calder , please calm down . Mrs. Calder has already punished Mr. Lucian for speeding . He wrote a five - thousand - word reflection and did charity work at the orphanage . " It would have been better not to mention it . As soon as Emerson heard this , he became even angrier . " Lucian doing good deeds ? He knows how to work ? It was Darlene who did it for him again . That mother and son only know how to order that child around . " The butler : " ... Emerson exuded a powerful aura and made a grand entrance . He walked so quickly that the butler had to jog to keep up , followed by several secretaries carrying briefcases . Darlene ran right into Emerson . " Good evening , Mr. Calder . " She nodded to him politely . Hearing her voice , Emerson stopped , his brows tightly furrowed . Then his expression softened a little . " Oh , it's Darlene . Why are you still outside so late ? " As he spoke , he glanced in the direction she had come from - Lucian's villa - a hint of meaning flickering in his eyes . Darlene explained , " Mrs. Calder asked me to bring Mr. Lucian his notes . " At the mention of Lucian's name , Emerson's face darkened again . " He doesn't even go to school . He's a grown man , yet he still expects you to do everything for him like when he was a child . That's the good son his mother has spoiled ! " Darlene remained silent , lowering her eyes . Emerson's presence was overwhelming . The way he looked at her was just like Lucian , but without desire - something even more dangerous than desire . His gaze deepened as he said , " These years , your mother has worked hard taking care of Herbert . It's getting late ; you should go back and rest . " It was a casual remark , like a token of gratitude from someone in power to those beneath him , his tone utterly flat . His piercing gaze made it impossible to meet his eyes . Yet Darlene sensed something unusual in his words . But since Emerson made no inappropriate move , she couldn't be sure . She bent slightly and said , " It is an honor for my mother to serve the Calder family . " 16.28 AD 52.5 % ReelShort - Stream Drama & TV Install O Get your fix now Return to Reckon with His Hateful Village in a divided village , a young man from the lower village falls for his childhood friend < Chapter 21 Emerson smiled , lifted his hand , and moved his fingers , signaling that she could leave . As Darlene walked away , he said , " This child is not bad . " Emerson rarely praised anyone . The butler had never heard him compliment Lucian . After thinking for a moment , the butler cautiously said , " Ms. Norwood has excellent grades , and Mrs. Calder thinks highly of her . It's just a pity ... " AD