Chapter 2079

Nathaniel offered no answer. He simply strode past Miranda, each measured step drawing him closer to Jonathan.

By then, Felix had already tugged the monkey mask free. The instant Jonathan’s face came into view, shock rattled him. His hand jerked, and the mask thudded to the floor like a dropped verdict.

Color drained from Felix’s cheeks. The memory of Jonathan’s earlier pummeling flashed behind his eyes, vivid as a bruise that never healed.

“J-Jon, it’s you?” The words trembled out of him, thin as tissue paper.

“Pick up my mask,” Jonathan said, each syllable clipped and cold, as though spoken through frost.

Felix dared not argue. He dropped to one knee and scooped the fallen monkey mask off the floor with the reverence of a servant retrieving his master’s crown.

Miranda stared, stunned. That little brat is Jonathan Smith? Impossible! I didn’t even recognize his voice! And why in heaven’s name does my own son jump at every word he utters?