Chapter 703

Perseus could endure being bullied himself—insults even slaps—but when it came to his family, that was where he drew the line. Vincent was barely eight years old. Why should he have to become someone else's target? "I'm a man. It's my job to protect you. When you're in trouble, who else are you going to turn to? Are you just going to bear it alone?" "Perseus, I… I didn't think it through…" Egbert's face showed a flicker of shame and embarrassment. "Forget it. What's done is done. But if something like this happens again, you have to tell me right away. Also, don't worry about Vincent—I'll handle it." Perseus couldn't bring himself to be harsh with his father. Despite Egbert's weakness in dealing with the situation and inability to protect Vincent, he'd held the family together for three years despite his lame leg. His father's frailty was the result of a lifetime of hardship. Changing that mindset would take time. "Perseus, please don't do anything reckless," Egbert said, conce