Burning Passion

CHAPTER 352: FAVORITE IS HARRY

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Steven didn't listen to his bodyguard. He keeps attacking Leng, who only dodges his kicks and blows. Later, Leng was forced to counter Steven's attacks, and he got him well in the stomach. He falls to the ground to let the pain disappear, and then he can chase Steven. 

Meanwhile, three bodyguards follow Steven, but he also defeats them, and she runs toward the lake in this park. He kept running until he found the exit, and he emerged on the other side of the forest. 

The place was a busy street of food stalls and restaurants. Steven blends into the crowd and keeps low. He could see two of his bodyguards would catch up with him. 

He quickened his pace and changed the route. But not long, someone tapped his shoulder, and another bumped into him. 

"What!?" he yelled at the man. 

"Relax, young master Shang. You need not be rude to us." 

"Who are you? Let me go!" 

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you go, nor they…" The man who holds Steven on the shoulder waves his hand to the crowd. 

Steven could see at least twenty men in the same uniform. He read the name of the academy that was embroidered into his left chest. 

His eyes widened upon recognizing which Martial Arts Academy they came from. Later, his bodyguards arrive, including Leng. 

"Let go of him!" Leng ordered the man. 

"Relax, Leng. We just wanted to make your job easy. You should thank me instead." 

Leng ponders for a moment, analyzing the situation. He bowed and apologized. "I'm sorry, Brother Long. What a coincidence that you were here." 

Marvin Long is a brother of Nina's personal driver and bodyguards, Martin Long, who later arrived in the area.

"I'm glad that you caught him right away." Martin Long said. 

"Mr. Long! What is the meaning of this?" Steven growled at Nina's driver. Steven remembered those times that Martin drove them to amusement parks and other places, the times he and Harry used to visit China together. 

"Young master, I was only following Master Li's order. No hard feelings." 

"Bullshit!" Steven constantly curses not only his bodyguards but also the Long brothers and the senior students from He Martial Arts Academy, owned by Nera He Li. 

Steven could not believe that now Nelson Li also kept an eye on him. But he has no choice but to get in the car, and this time, the Long brothers are escorting him back to the Shang mansion, both seated in front of him, keenly watching him. 

Pissed off, he also returned a deadly gaze. Anger crept toward his chest, thinking of Nina's family treating him this way. 

All he wanted is to love Nina. Why doesn't everyone support him? Why is everyone against him? Why didn't they understand how much he loves Nina!? 

At the mansion, Steven destroyed all he could in his bedroom he shared with Harry. He threw all Harry's books on the floor. Flipped his study table and his things scattered on the floor. 

Downstairs, it also enraged Elder Shang that Steven almost got an escape. Now, he is impatiently waiting for Garry to arrive home. Raymond seated across the old man, fidgeting on the couch.

"Bastard! Where have you been!?" Elder Shang shouted at Garry the moment his shadow showed up in the living room. 

Shang men fetched Garry and informed him what happened. Now, his great-grandfather was in great fury looking at him. 

"You, useless Shang!" 

Hearing this, Garry gritted his teeth, but he didn't talk back but let the elder scold him. 

"I entrusted your brother to you! Now, how will you explain to me why you left him in the hospital? Answer me!"

Garry kneeled on the floor, apologizing. "I'm sorry, grandpa! It was all my fault! It won't happen again! I will watch Steven closely from now on!" He pleaded not to receive punishment.

"Huh! No wonder your father didn't have faith in you! You three are useless sons! It seemed that only Harry who made do right among your brothers!" 

Hearing the old man's statement, Garry and Raymond tighten their jaws and clench their fists. They conceal the anger that is rising in their chests. Now they understood Steven's anger toward Harry. They are also feeling it right now.

The elders only saw Harry and carelessly praised him in front of them. And now, he is their family's favorite. It won't surprise soon if everyone favored Harry. 

What happened this evening is just a minor matter. But the elder is making it a big issue. Not only that, they are serious about putting Steven prisoner in the mansion. 

"Let me out of here!" 

Garry and Raymond could hear Steven's cry from his room. The elder brothers shared a glance. They could not determine whether to feel scared or pity toward Steven. 

Scare, that one day, they put in Steven's place. And pity is what they feel for Steven. All he was talking about is his love for Nina. Why do the elder and their parents treat Steven this way? 

~ ~ ~ 

New Jersey, USA 

Harry and Nina, along with Jessica, picked up Jerome and Nina's parents. Before they headed back to Princeton, they went to a restaurant to dine out first. 

Sat opposite to the Li family, Jerome observes Nina in silence. He could see the sparks and delight written all over her face. 

It was so different the last time he saw her after Steven notified them about Nina moving to New Jersey. 

What Steven told him, he and Nina plan for their marriage. But then, Nina has that sadness in her eyes and hesitancy, but then, she tries to conceal her emotion. 

They didn't know that she was suffering emotionally because of Steven. That bastard son of his who almost ruined his plans! 

Gladly, everything turned out fine, and now Nina looks happier without Steven around. Jerome prayed things would stay peaceful and Steven would not cause trouble anymore. 

But what he hopes more is Harry. He wanted to hear what happened in these passing weeks that he and Nina freely spend time without Nelson's watch. 

"Harry, how are things here?" Jerome casually queried his son, seated on his left side. 

"Pa, it's not the right time and place to talk about it." It disappointed Harry in his father. All he really cares about is his ambition. But it was a good chance to talk to his father. He wants to make a clarification about him and Nina. 

Meanwhile, Jerome felt annoyed how Harry straightforwardly shut him up. 'Is he angry at me? Isn't he should be grateful that he helped him out?' 

Jerome keeps quiet, even though he doesn't like how Harry is disrespectful toward him. But he is the only son he could rely on now! He should cool down.

After a great meal, Harry silently drove the car where the Li family tailed them. Harry was sad that now Nelson was here, he and Nina have to limit the times they must meet. Moreover, they could not spend time at night anymore. 

So then, Harry prayed that Nina's father and his father just go back to China soon. 

Jerome silently watched his son, waiting for the perfect time to open up the things he wanted to ask him. 

"Harry, can I talk to you now?" How ridiculous that I have to ask his permission! Jerome thought inwardly. It pissed him that now all his sons grow up as big men, they are insolent toward him. 

Harry glanced at his father, he nodded. "Okay. What is it?" 

"So, how is it going? Your mother told me about you and Nina." 

"What exactly do you want to hear, Pa?" 

"Okay. So? I'm trying to convince Nelson to hurry your marriage with Nina. But Nelson wouldn't give his consent." 

"Okay," Harry replied flatly, which made Jerome raise a brow. 

In what he was seeing, Harry was less interested in talking about this matter. "Is that all you could say?" 

"Then what do you want me to say?" 

"At least have a little persistence like Steven." 

Harry glanced at his father with shock. "Are you seriously saying that to me, Pa?" 

"That's not what I mean." 

"Ridiculous! You were thinking for me to be like Steven?" 

"Of course, not! What I am telling you is to ask Nelson, beg on him like Steven." 

"You're kidding, right? Or you are making fun now?" 

"Harry, your mouth!" 

This time, Harry didn't reply but ignored his father. He already had guessed that there's no good news from his father. Now, he was advising him to take advantage of Nina if ever he and Nina didn't sleep yet. 

Now that he sees how narrow-minded his father was, no one should know that he and Nina were sleeping together. He could see that once his father knew, he would bug him to tell Nina's parents about it. 

He sleeps with Nina not because to hurry their marriage. He sleeps with her because he loves her. And their plan of having a secret marriage is still his choice. 

"Stop bugging me about it, father. I know what I am doing." 

"What's the problem if I am advising you to hasten your marriage with Nina? Don't tell me you are still thinking of your girlfriend?"

"Stop involving Kristina. Stay away from her. She has nothing to do with us." He warned his father. His tone was cold.

"That's great then! I expect for you to end your relationship with her." 

"I know." 

Jerome shook his head, listening to Harry's rough tone.. He heaves a long sigh inwardly.