Brandon crashed his knees on the floor as soon as Ferdinand was dragged away, his strength failing him at the point when he needed it mostly. He was panting heavily as he struggled to catch and steady his breath.

“You did well, uncle Brandon.” Ciara commended him with a small smile on her face. “I was thinking you would lose to uncle Ferdinand since he's much younger than you are, but he turns out to be weaker instead —I'm amazed at your prowess, uncle.”

If Brandon had tried to be ...