BOUND BY SECRETS

The tension in the Pongsapak mansion reached its breaking point. The air was thick with hostility as the bitter exchange continued.

"You'll have to go through me first," Perth growled, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing with determination.

Title stepped closer, his face twisted with amusement.

"Is that supposed to scare me, professor?" he taunted. "You're nothing but a pathetic obstacle."

Perth's hand curled into a fist, the veins in his arm pulsing. The next second, without a word, he swung.

CRACK!

The force of the punch sent Title staggering backward, his lip split open as he stumbled. A shocked gasp echoed through the room. Blood dripped from the corner of Title's mouth, but his eyes flared with rage.

"You'll regret that," Title snarled, wiping the blood from his face.

"Enough!" Jirawit roared, his voice commanding. "Take him down!"

At his order, his men surged forward. Santa's eyes widened in fear, clutching Perth's arm.

"No! Stop!" Santa pleaded, but the guards showed no hesitation.

Perth stood his ground, his chest heaving, his stance unwavering. Just as the men move forward, he spat bitterly at Jirawit.

"You destroyed my family," Perth spat, his chest rising and falling with barely contained rage.
"Tanapon factory - the arson. The massacre. That was all you!"

Jirawit's face darkened, but before he could speak, Perth's words struck again like venom.

"Dozens of innocent people died because of your greed. And when my parents tried to stop you, you made sure they never stood a chance."

"Unfortunately for you, I wasn't there that day." Perth's voice shook.
"I was only three years old. At playschool. I didn't get to say goodbye. All I had left were the ashes of everything you destroyed."

Santa's breath hitched. The agony in Perth's voice tore through him, and tears welled in his eyes.

Jirawit's smirk didn't falter. "Such bold words," he mocked. "And yet, you stand here alive. A shame I couldn't finish the job back then."

Santa's grip on Perth's arm tightened, his heart hammering in fear. "What are you talking about?" Santa's voice cracked.

Jirawit's cold gaze shifted to him. "I simply took what was necessary. Your precious 'phi Perth' just happened to be a loose end."

Perth's jaw clenched...

"My father, Tharn Tanapon, was a man of integrity," Perth growled. "He built Tanapon Industries from the ground up. But when you and Niran wanted the land our factory stood on, he refused to bow."

"And he paid the price for his defiance," Jirawit sneered, the cruelty in his voice evident. "I don't tolerate obstacles."

"You didn't just destroy a factory," Perth's voice cracked, the weight of grief washing over him. "You killed them."

Tong's eyes widened, the words striking him like a dagger. "What?"

"My parents," Perth's voice trembled, though his glare remained unwavering. "You murdered my father and my mother. Just like that. And for what? Land? Power?"

Jirawit's face remained unmoved. "Power comes at a cost."

Perth's fists clenched as he took a step forward, the rage threatening to consume him.

"My father wasn't just a businessman. He was a man who stood for justice. He was helping Anne Pongsapak...Emmy's mother - gather evidence against you and Niran."

Gasps echoed through the room. Emmy's trembling form clung to Santa, her tears falling freely.

"My mother..." she whispered, the harsh truth building at her heart.

"Anne was a threat," Jirawit said coldly. "And so was your father. They had evidence that could ruin us. That's why your family had to burn, along with that factory."

Tong shook his head, disbelief plastered across his face. "My father was part of this?"

Jirawit scoffed. "Niran knew what needed to be done. And your brother? He was a fool for believing he could protect Anne."

The dam inside Tong finally burst. "You killed Pong!" he roared, stepping toward Jirawit. "You tore my family apart!"

"And yours is next," Jirawit hissed. "Santa belongs to my son now. Whether you like it or not."

"Never," Perth growled, shielding Santa behind him. "You'll never touch him."

Jirawit chuckled darkly.

"You're still that helpless little boy, aren't you? No family. No legacy. Nothing." He nodded to his men. "Take him down."

The guards moved forward.

"Perth!" Santa screamed, his voice cracking.

But Perth was ready. Years of training, of enduring the weight of his past, had made him resilient.

He swung without hesitation, again landing a powerful punch straight to Title's jaw. The force sent Title stumbling back, blood trickling from his lip.

"You bastard!" Title snarled, his eyes burning with fury.

Jirawit's men surged toward Perth. But Perth didn't retreat. He stood his ground, fists clenched, protecting the one person he swore to never lose.

"This ends today," Perth growled. "You've taken everything from me once. But I'll never let you take Santa."

Jirawit's sinister grin faltered, a flicker of uncertainty flashing in his eyes.

The storm had finally broken loose.

To be continued... 🖤🤍