บท 54: Maximo's Prejudice (2)

After speaking, Maximo got up.

Jonah and Malcom exchanged a look just before Maximo opened another door, and the huge man entered through it.

Malcom saw him and all the memories of the night before came alive. He stood up, looking at him, and without being able to avoid it, his body was on guard.

Satin gave him a long look, and then with disinterest, occupied one of the empty chairs.

As soon as he sat down, he took off his gloves, and his completely healthy hands appeared in front of everyone.

Maximo looked at Satin's hands before shaking his head. He then gave Malcom and Jonah a disappointed look.

"This was obviously a mistake," Maximo said before he added, "You see him, boy! It was crazy to think that Satin was responsible for the attack you suffered. The man is a Virtue, and he serves the purpose to protect the people of this country, regardless of who it is."

Malcom clenched his teeth to the point that he could already taste blood. He could not help but stare at Satin with contempt.

Satin stared back as if he was amused.

It was hard to accept as Malcom did not understand how his hands were completely healthy. However, he was really convinced that it had been Satin who had attacked him.

Suddenly, Satin burst out laughing. "Does this tadpole thinks I was the one who attacked him?" He asked mockingly before he added, "Let's say it was me who attacked you. Do you think you would still live and be here? In this place?"

Malcom stared at him with a complicated expression. That voice and those eyes were unmistakable.

Clearly, he had to be responsible. Yet, under any circumstances, no one would believe him without concrete proof.

Malcom looked at Jonah as if he was feeling lost.

Jonah gave him a gentle look, and this helped Malcom to calm down. He returned to his seat. His mind was still in a mess.

"Well, boy, as you can see, none of us is responsible for that attack. Next time, you must be careful with the accusations you make!"

Malcom looked at Maximo with resignation. He knew that he would not receive any help from these people anymore.

"The Rest of you can retire. I have to talk to this boy in private," Maximo said before he stood up.

Satin and the rest got up and began to leave the room. Satin gave a look of hatred incarnate to Malcom, who held his gaze.

No matter what Maximo said, he was convinced that the person responsible for the attack had been Satin.

Before leaving, Jonah approached Maximo. He stood in front of him with out speaking. They both stared at each other, only for the soldier to turn his back and leave the office.

Maximo shook his head before he gave out a stressful sigh. When everyone had left the room, he looked at Malcom and asked, "What do you want to prove, boy?"

Malcom looked at him curiously. He could not completely understand the question, so he kept silent.

Him, being silent, though, seemed to have displeased Maximo even further.

"With your attitude, what do you want to prove?" He asked again.

Malcom looked him straight in the eye. "I don't like people to look down on me!" It was human nature to fight for survival. When people ask him what he was trying to 'prove,' sometimes Malcom wanted to laugh.

Was he not even allowed to prove his worth? His very own existence?

Maximo looked at him coldly, "But why be so challenging? The rest of the Marked lead good lives. There is even another one of you competing in the tournament! But you, you are always in trouble. It's like you want trouble for some reason! Like you wanted attention all the time!"

Malcom smiled mockingly, "All my life, I have been in trouble! Why is it now that you care? Maybe because your niece got in trouble with me?"

Maximo clenched his teeth. He looked at the Marked with anger.

'Got you!,' Malcom thought to himself silently. It was now clear that Maximo was only concerned about Skyler. It was not surprising but it was still annoying when flaunted in front of Malcom.

"I want her to have a respectable life! However, this last week she starred in too many shameful events, and you were involved in all of them!" Maximo said. After speaking, the man ran his hand through his blond hair, looking exasperated.

He then added, "Why? Why do you involve her in your poor behavior!?"

Malcom felt offended, and his face clearly expressed that. "You know something? I have always hated the Virtues!" He spat. Malcom then abruptly stood up. So fast, the chair was almost knocked down.

"You represent everything I detest in this society! The Virtues like Mabel, the opportunistic and unpleasant. Satin the beast, who is also known to be abusive and dangerous," he added with sarcasm.

Malcom forcefully laughed, "They are all terrible but never in my life have I met someone like you! You see me as if I were an insect! A cockroach which swims next to you!"

Maximo looked at the boy with shock. His hands were shaking from anger, as it was tangible.

Seeing Maximo like this, Malcom felt chills run down his spine. There was fear starting to build up with him.

But Malcom was not done yet. He ignored all the warning signs and continued venting, "You really believe that I am an inferior being! What about this damn Mark? I didn't ask for it! You gave it to me, you and the bastards like you who condemn us to live as inferior beings!"

Malcom felt so much anger stirring inside him, he could almost see red.

"I don't give a shit on whatever you say or do! So what if you want to warn me? I will hang out with whoever I want and do what I want! And if you don't like that, then you can go to hell!" Just as he said that, Malcom forced himself to turn back before the last of his rationality was lost.

But before he left, he looked back at Maximo and said with disgust, "Perhaps your niece prefers to be with me than with you because with all that power, you are nothing more than a phony! You say that you care about people? That's bullshit! You only care about your image. Good thing, she knew who among us is the true lower being!"