Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 96: Don’t Fire Him!

The drive back was suffocating. Adam Leinster sat in the front of the SUV, his silence more terrifying than words. In the back, the three teenagers were draped in a heavy, unnatural quiet.

Lucas was curled into the seat, his eyes fixed on the glowing screen of Nathan’s phone. He was still trembling, his knuckles white as he gripped the device.

His face was pale, and he repeatedly cursed softly, as if trying to dispel the shame that had replaced his fear.

He looked at Nathan before turning away. He hated looking weak, especially in front of Zane, the brat he always mocked.

Meanwhile, Zane watched him from the opposite side. Usually, seeing Lucas Salazar in a state of weakness would have been a victory for him. But now? He only felt a sickening sense of pity.

"Don’t look at me like that," Lucas snapped, still maintaining his dignity as a "senior."

Zane clicked his tongue. "You can talk now?!"

Lucas snorted, still clutching his phone tightly.

Zane couldn’t contain his curiosity at this point. "Are you really afraid of the dark?" he asked. He knew Lucas wasn’t pretending.

Lucas could still feel his whole body shaking. His ego and arrogance had drastically diminished. It would be even more embarrassing if he acted tough now.

"It just suffocates me. I can’t breathe in the dark. It’s like a heavy brick pressing in on me from every side. And it feels like monsters are trying to get me, pull me," Lucas said, staring at the still-lit cell phone. His voice was soft.

Zane wanted to say something, but he held back. Right now, Lucas seemed to be really serious. Plus, the young man wasn’t his usual self, who liked mocking him with a mischievous and playful face.

Lucas currently looked so human.

Zane stared at Lucas intently. "Sorry. I shouldn’t have pulled you inside."

Lucas took a deep breath. "Whatever. You have something to mock me with now. Damn!" he cursed softly, trying to calm his fear, even though his hands were still shaking.

"I’m not an asshole like you," Zane replied.

Then he shifted his gaze to Nathan. Nathan was pale, his arms wrapped tightly around his midsection, his jaw clenched so hard his teeth probably ached.

"Can you hold it until you get home?" Zane whispered, leaning in slightly and grabbing Nathan’s hand.

Lucas watched their interaction, then cleared his throat. "Ahem! Ahem!" before finally coughing.

Zane pulled his hand away, glaring at Lucas. But he still stared intently at Nathan.

"Very painful?" Zane asked softly.

Lucas was still coughing, his face red. But he was focused on Zane, who seemed like a different person right now.

Since when could that kid be so friendly and gentle? And to his brother, Nathan?

Nathan didn’t look up. He just offered a thin, pained smile that didn’t reach his eyes. It was a silent plea for Zane not to make a scene. Zane felt a knot of genuine concern. He knew Nathan was stubborn, but the boy looked like he was going to die.

Nathan wanted to calm Lucas down because he knew a boy who was afraid of the dark at the orphanage, and he was sure the fear was based on trauma.

But right now, he was focused on not fainting. His whole body was shivering. His stomach hurt terribly. He could only lean back in his seat.

Zane was very worried. He squeezed Nathan’s cold hand repeatedly. Even so, he was sure the Salazars had a personal doctor.

’They’ll take care of him at home,’ Zane tried to convince himself.

Zane stared at the road leading to a remote area bordering the forest. He was a little surprised because the road did not lead to the police station.

Then he realized the area was surrounded by trees covered in snow. He looked at Lucas and Nathan.

Were they heading to the Salazar house? He remembered going to that area when his parents had received an invitation to a dinner party. But he had only been there once and didn’t remember the details.

After a few minutes of crossing the deserted area, they arrived at a towering iron fence. There were no houses around. At that moment, there was only darkness.

When they arrived in front of the mansion, Zane felt the building was like a lonely castle. It looked majestic, but it also gave off a chilling effect.

Zane didn’t get out. He knew he was the one who had caused all of this to happen.

He knew the Salazar family was full of drama and madness. But he didn’t expect them to ask his father to intervene.

Really, it was unbelievable.

Nathan stared at the terrace, taking a deep breath. His stomach tightened and stiffened.

Alexander was standing on the terrace. Beside him stood Roger and Malvin, their faces calm, and a worried Nael. Louis stood several paces behind them, his head bowed, his posture radiating a sense of impending doom.

As soon as they entered, Adam Leinster gave Alexander a curt nod. "Sorry, it’s my son’s mistake. He seems to have taken Nathan to the racetrack. I promise you, it will never happen again."

Adam explained a few things. Alexander seemed calm, as usual. But his gaze shifted from Lucas to Nathan occasionally.

"Thank you, Mr. Leinster. Sorry for taking up your time," Alexander said.

Adam shook his head. "It’s a lesson for me too. I never realized my son was involved in such crazy things."

The man then returned to his car, his face looking sullen.

Nathan, who was still focused on the pain in his stomach, felt a little worried about Zane. He hoped the boy wouldn’t get into trouble with his father.

Alexander then focused on his brothers. His eyes locked onto Nathan and the shivering, pale Lucas.

Roger approached Lucas. "What happened? You’re not panicking just because the police came, right?" he teased, knowing how naughty the boy was.

Nathan glanced over. He didn’t want to get involved, but they had to know how the young man was doing.

"We were hiding in the container, and he was shaking and screaming like a madman," Nathan said. His tone didn’t sound like he cared, but he was actually very worried at that moment.

Lucas looked at him, silently asking him to be quiet.

Malvin seemed to understand what was going on, because he immediately pulled Lucas inside. "Let’s go to your room. I’ll prepare your pills."

Lucas seemed embarrassed. "No, I’m okay!"

Roger seemed like he wanted to follow, but he looked at Alexander, who was currently staring intently at Nathan. He finally chose to stay.

He smiled, pulling his sister’s hand and leading her inside. "Seems like you had fun. Let’s go inside!"

Nathan didn’t say anything, just followed Roger.

Alexander spoke as they passed by. "Roger, I want to talk to him. Louis too."

Louis immediately became alert, his face pale.

Nael looked anxious and worried. He never liked situations like this.

Roger didn’t say anything, hugging his younger brother’s shoulders. "Don’t mind him. I used to have fun too. He is too old for these things. Just listen to whatever he says. You can do it again next time!"

Alexander coughed when he heard Roger’s words.

Roger just chuckled.

When they arrived in the living room, Roger sat Nathan down on the sofa and sat next to him. It was as if he were a lawyer ready to defend his client.

Alexander sat down. The atmosphere was unpleasant and tense. Nael carefully sat on the farthest sofa.

Louis stood beside the sofa where Roger was sitting, looking down in resignation.

Alexander looked at Nathan and sighed deeply.

"Louis," Alexander’s voice cut through the room like a blade.

"Yes, Boss," Louis replied, his voice barely audible.

"You are relieved of your duties. Pack your things and leave by morning."

The words hit Nathan and everyone there like a physical punch, especially Louis, who stared wide-eyed at Alexander, wondering if he was serious.

But Alexander looked calm, as usual. The man never joked, and Louis knew this was the final decision. He took a deep breath.

Nathan felt his stomach tighten. He was weak and felt pain all over his body, but he was more focused on Louis.

"What?" Nathan gasped, despite the sharp flare of pain in his gut.

"Why? Because of me? It has nothing to do with Louis! If you want to punish someone, punish me. I’m the one who went to the track. I’m the one who tricked him!"

Alexander looked at his younger brother. His expression was unreadable, a wall of cold stone. "He had one responsibility, to ensure your safety. He failed."

"What? No! You can’t do that!" Nathan shouted, his voice cracking. "I won’t let you do this. I’m the one responsible! You can’t fire him just because I made a mistake!"

"So you know it’s a mistake?"

"I know! I just wanted to see! I don’t join them racing!"

"You made up a false excuse and made everyone worry. And it’s my job to ensure your safety, Nathan," Alexander said calmly.

"What’s wrong with you? Don’t fire Louis!"

"You have to understand that your actions always have consequences. This time, it’s a big mistake that Louis lost you. He is not capable of protecting you. What if something had happened there?"

Nathan felt his stomach tighten. "It’s just a race car!" He couldn’t believe Alexander fired Louis just because he left quietly.

"Starting tomorrow, Lorenzo will be your primary bodyguard. He will take care of you and Nael. I hope there will be no more ’disappearances.’"

Nathan’s hands clenched into fists. "What? You’re really going to do this? You’re going to chain me to this house? I just wanted some air! I just wanted to watch the cars!"

"If you want to see racing, I will take you to a professional track. You will have a VIP suite and a legal environment. You will not, under any circumstances, do this bullshit again. Never lie or make excuses. You are not kids anymore," Alexander countered.

"What is wrong with you?!" Nathan’s vision began to blur. The stress, the shouting, and the mounting pressure in his stomach were becoming unbearable.

He was desperate. He looked at Louis, who seemed resigned. He knew Alexander was serious. That made him really angry, angrier still because he had no power to stop any of this.

Nathan clenched his fists, staring at Alexander.

"Please, don’t fire Louis. I want him. Only him."

"It’s my final decision. Now, go to your room."

Nathan stood up, opened his mouth to argue, but the world suddenly tilted. The sharp, burning acid in his stomach surged upward, stealing his breath. He tried to take a step, but his legs felt like water.

Before anyone could react, Nathan dropped to the floor, onto his knees, trembling violently.

"Nathan!" Nael screamed.

Roger, shocked, grabbed Nathan’s body. "Shit! What happened?"

Alexander’s mask of indifference shattered. In two strides, he was on the floor, lifting Nathan’s limp, cold body into his arms. "Call the doctor! Now!"