"Jeric, aren't you going to greet Mr. Sullen?" Maxwell said.
Jeric quickly rose to his feet and approached Jacob, his countenance now radiating admiration and profound respect. He didn't seem arrogant anymore. Observing this transformation in his brother, Maxwell discerned that Jeric held a deep reverence for Jacob's remarkable feat of enduring eleven lightning tribulations.
"Mr. Sullen, this is my incompetent brother," Maxwell introduced. Knowing that Jeric was the one who abducted the girls, Jacob cast him a frigid, piercing gaze.
Sensing the icy glare, Jeric shuddered and promptly slapped himself twice. "Mr. Sullen, I was a fool to harm your friends. Please forgive me!"
Jeric's swift admission of his wrongdoing brought satisfaction to Maxwell. After all, he was well aware of Jeric's typically arrogant demeanor. Seeing that, Jacob said in a deliberate, measured tone, "Since it is in the past, let it remain there."
