While Ford indeed was now sober, his hatred for Hal was still burning strong and Hal had to admit that the look was more impactful now that his eyes were clear.
Suddenly Ford stood from his seat and stretched his hand to hit Hal, however right before it made contact, he paused and looked as though he could not get any closer,
"Sit down" Hal said with a sigh and despite struggling not to, Ford still leaned back and returned to his seat.
"You either still don't understand your situation or you're just in denial. Whatever it is, allow me to clear up some details.
I now own your soul and you follow my orders now."
Ford was taking deep breaths and his eyes were red and it was clear he was about to explode. Hal quickly cast a Dome of Astral Energy around the both of them so as not to allow the noise out.
After which, Ford yelled,
"BASTARD! HAVEN'T YOU DONE ENOUGH? YOU TOOK MY DAUGHTER AND YOU TOOK HER MOTHER AND NOW YOU TAKE MY FREE WILL?"
"Exactly," Hal said and Ford was so caught off guard that he paused and Hal continued,
"Yes, I took your daughter and I took a woman who was never yours.
By I took your daughter, of course I mean I care about her and finally aiding her in growing up.
By I took Emily, I mean I finally gave her the happiness no one else including you, could possibly give her. So yes I am very selfish" Hal said with a nod.
Ford narrowed his eyes. If he didn't know any better, he would say Hal meant the opposite of that final assessment.
"You can be angry at me and you can hate me. Or you can just accept that this was what was bound to happen eventually. You can finally find someone to care about you. You can finally live your life.
You can finally have the hope of leaving a small city such as this.
You can finally consider broadening your horizons.
Know this though, you are not allowed to take your own life. It's not because I care but because I don't want to hurt Amelia. I could brand you right now and make it impossible for you to be intoxicated but I see no reason to do so.
In fact, if you can find solace in alcohol, then feel free but know that living your life in a drunken slur will not make your daughter happy."
Ford lowered his head and his eyes became misty,
"Bastard, how dare you give me options. You took everything..." He began but Hal interrupted.
"No, I didn't. I took nothing from you. Emily was never yours and you admitted that yourself.
Amelia is still your daughter and she still cares about you.
As for your soul, I didn't take it away from you, Ford. You gave it away.
You gave it away in a moment of foolishness but I can assure you that for the sake of that beautiful young lady, I shall care for it and not allow you to leave her."
"You just love to make me handicapped don't you?" Ford choked.
Hal shrugged,
"You could say that. Or you could say I am stretching a hand to lift you. As long as you fight for me, I can make it so that you will not simply have to look at your daughter and son, might I add, getting further away from you"
So angry was Ford that he even failed to acknowledge that Hal had admitted to taking his son as well,
"Fight for you?" He asked in staunch disbelief.
Hal acted as though he had not heard the underlying rage in Ford's question,
"Yes. Since you are in need of direction. Why not that?" He answered with a nod.
"Be your stooge? Over my dead..." Ford began but Hal stopped him by raising a hand,
"Don't be so hasty! I'd like an answer by the end of Marlon Edgar's remarriage coming up in a few days" Hal said and stood up as he canceled out the Dome
He was at the door when he paused to look back at Ford,
"I doubt it will take you so long to decide" he said and walked out.
Ford looked at the door close and with a dead expression, he picked up a glass and poured himself more wine.
He was about to take a sip when he paused and looked inside the cup and to view his reflection and he must not have liked what he saw because he chucked it at the door...
*Bang*
*Shatter*
"Arrrrghhhhhh"
...and yelled.
Hal was not that far away so he heard the yell as he returned to Emily's room which was fortified enough to not allow Ford's yells to affect her cultivation.
He arrived just in time to see the construction of her pagoda begin as she prepared to ascend to the Early stage of the Cosmic Pagoda Realm.
It was quite a beautiful sight to behold and one that he could not help but anticipate doing someday.
After that, he left her room and prepared to return to his mansion as he had just been informed that he had a visitor and it was not someone he was interested in ignoring.
At least not for the second time.
He was on his way out of the Manor and even saw some of those who been victims of Emily's Aurora limp away or even carried away because of more severe injuries when he saw Amelia who seemed to be waiting for him,
"You're still here?" He asked as he had assumed she would go find Marla who was at the mansion.
"I was thinking of visiting Marla at the Mansion but decided to wait and get a little feedback from you about your meeting with Dad" she said.
Hal nodded and walked to her side to wound his arm around her waist and steer her out of the Manor. Amelia seemed to finally realize he was not going to say anything else so she decided to prompt him,
"So, how was it?"
Hal raised his brow,
"Sex with your mother? Sorry Amy but a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell" He said with a serious expression.
Amelia gasped and hit him lightly on the arm,
"Not that! Father is really upset right?" She said while leaning a little more into Hal's side.
Hal chuckled,
"Not really. He's just in shock. He'll be fine soon. Don't worry yourself too much"
Amelia sighed.
"Maybe I should not have asked you to do it" she said and Hal turned to her,
"If it helps. Whether or not you asked, it would still have happened"
He told her while rubbing her sides to comfort her as they began their slow walk to the Mansion once out of the Manor.
"Why? Because you already messaged her at Pleasure inn?" Amelia said with a hint of a tease.
Hal turned to her with mild surprise in his eyes.
"What? Mother tells me everything" She said proudly.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind" Hal chuckled.
They occupied themselves with other topics, while mostly steering away from those that related too much to Ford.
Soon they were walking through the gates of the Mansion, passing a luxurious carriage that was not theirs and walking into the lunge where a Dark-haired, green-eyed lady was waiting for them.
Arya had the bangs obstructing her left eye pulled behind her ear as she smiled sweetly,
"Hi, I'm Arya. It's great to meet you, Hal Payne.
You're just the man I've been wanting to meet"
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