Breaking the Gate, a Calm and Composed William

"Bang... Bang."

The main gate of the Walker family ancestral estate was indeed sturdy, but it couldn't withstand repeated heavy blows. William Wang Jinling's father, his uncle, and the others could only watch helplessly as the ancestral gate was broken down.

With a thunderous crash, the vermilion gate that symbolized the Walker clan's status shattered under the relentless battering...

Bastard!

Who the hell would use a siege ram meant for city gates to smash the Walker family's door? Who thinks the Walkers are some petty household that anyone can just barge into?

William's uncle was the first to recover, angrily demanding, "Who the hell dares to use military equipment to smash my Walker family's gate?"

"Such audacity, to dare smash into the Walker clan! Are you tired of living?" Elder Ren Walker, Elder Zhi Walker, and Sean Walker—all senior elders—reacted, their faces turning purple with rage.

This was a massive blow to the Walker family's reputation.

William's father, Eighth Grand-Uncle Walker, and several neutral elders remained silent, simply watching the gate and waiting for the intruder to appear.

To dare smash the Walker family's gate, whoever it was had to be someone significant. In their minds, there was only one person in Eastlyn who would dare such a thing—the Emperor.

But the Emperor had made it clear he wanted to elevate Uncle Sean of the Walkers, using him to control the clan. Why would he fear anyone smashing the Walker family's gate?

The Walker clan members exchanged grave looks. Under Uncle Sean's orders, the borrowed retainers stopped attacking the other Walkers.

When facing an outside enemy, the Walkers instinctively united. All eyes turned to the carriage rolling out of the shadows.

Yes, a carriage...

The guards who had battered the gate stepped back, making way for the carriage, which rolled up to the Walker clan's main entrance and stopped.

Who would dare be so arrogant—not only smashing the Walker family's gate, but parking a carriage at the entrance? That privilege belonged only to the Wang Clan Patriarch.

The clever ones had already guessed, but still couldn't believe it. If it really was him, why would he let someone smash the Walker family's gate? Wouldn't that be humiliating himself?

The carriage stopped. The Walkers didn't blink, staring at it and waiting for its occupant to emerge.

The curtain lifted; the person inside didn't keep them waiting. Black boots trimmed with gold, a sapphire-blue brocade robe, and an air of effortless authority—he stepped out and instantly became the center of attention, leaving every Walker clan member utterly stunned.

"Patriarch?"

"Patriarch!"

The earlier, questioning cry came from Uncle Sean of the Walkers and Sean Walker's faction; the joyful shout was from William's father and his supporters.

William Wang Jinling smiled, ignoring the hostile 'retainers' before him, and strode gracefully into the estate. "Grandfathers, uncles, William is a bit late. I ask your forgiveness."

Though he said this, William offered no bow or apology. After nodding to his father and Eighth Grand-Uncle Walker, he walked straight to the inner hall, nodding to several white-haired elders in the center as a greeting. As for everyone else, William simply acted as if they didn't exist.

The atmosphere in the Walker mansion was strange; it seemed no one dared breathe. At this moment, nobody would dare accuse William of rudeness.

The moment William appeared, the whole mood in the Walker clan changed. Uncle Sean stood alone, staring at William in shock, unable to speak, his gaze following William's every move.

Only when William's guards pushed aside Uncle Sean and Sean Walker's men and seated William at the head position did the crowd find their voices. Those who had stood with Uncle Sean lowered their heads, not daring to meet William's eyes, and awkwardly backed away, eager to distance themselves from him.

"Pa—Patriarch, why did you return at this time?" Uncle Sean tried to sound accusatory, but his lack of confidence made it sound almost pitiful.

William ignored the odd atmosphere, beaming as he said, "Sorry I'm late, Uncle. You were worried for nothing. Why are you all standing around? Don't you see Uncle is still on his feet? Invite him to sit down."

"Y-yes, of course."

The stiff-backed servants hurried forward to escort Uncle Sean to the outer hall. Given his status, he was not qualified to enter the inner hall.

William's sudden arrival left Uncle Sean so shocked he was practically beside himself, dazed as the servants led him away. Sean Walker and his faction, seeing things turn against them, tried to slip out too, but their prime location made any movement conspicuous.

Even before William spoke, his guards stepped forward and blocked the three elders' escape.

"William, what is the meaning of this?" Sean Walker, the ringleader, was first to challenge him.

William said nothing, instead lifting the hot tea just served by a servant. He took a sip, set the cup down, and finally looked at the three elders, his calm eyes unchanged: "Grandfather Sean, Grandfather Ren, Grandfather Zhi, where are you three headed?"

His tone was calm, without a trace of anger, which eased Sean Walker and the others a little. "William, Elder Ren and the others are just old and confused. Please don't hold it against them."

Elder Ren Walker swallowed his pride and apologized to William, despite their seniority. Their arrogance had relied on William's presumed death; now, with him alive and holding the patriarch's authority, they had no choice but to submit.

"Elder Ren, you're not confused. If you were, you wouldn't have come to the ancestral estate. I recall I once said: without the patriarch's order, the three of you and your direct descendants are forbidden to set foot in the Walker family ancestral estate. Who let you and your sons in? Do you not understand the consequences of defying the patriarch's command?"

William's words carried no anger, but they left most of those present drenched in cold sweat. If not for their pride as Walkers, this group might have knelt and begged for mercy.

Defying the patriarch's order meant expulsion from the Walkers, loss of the Wang surname, and a ban on all descendants ever claiming to be Walkers or setting foot on Walker land.

The Walker Clan Patriarch wielded considerable power. In the past, the elder council could keep him in check, but ever since William purged Sean Walker, Elder Ren Walker, and Elder Zhi Walker, the new elder council was little more than an empty formality—none dared oppose William for fear he'd seize on their mistakes and disgrace their entire branch.

At this moment, if William decided to punish them, no one would dare object. Once expelled from the Walkers, without the clan's backing, they'd be worse off than commoners—at least commoners could farm, while they would have nothing.

What now? What now?

Sean Walker, Elder Ren Walker, and Elder Zhi Walker exchanged frantic glances, hoping one of them would come up with a solution. But at this moment, none could think of anything—they'd never expected William to return alive.

William was in no rush. He leisurely sipped his tea, occasionally glancing at the three elders, waiting for their answer. On the head seat, several white-haired elders exchanged approving smiles.

The Grand Heir of the Walkers truly was remarkable. In the past half year, he had shed his youthful naivety and gained maturity and poise. With William's current composure and skill, the clan would flourish under his leadership. The Walkers didn't need a reckless patriarch—they needed someone steady. William was just right...

With just a few words, William had suppressed the entire clan. Prince Nolan and Serena exchanged a smile; William's status as patriarch was important, but the aura he projected as he entered was what truly mattered.

To smash open the Walker clan's gate—William was the first. He truly had presence!