Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1399

“I did a bit of digging into Punikon’s family,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Turns out, his granddad was a legendary boxer—practically a household name back in Thyania!”

“And both his dad and uncle? Former heavyweight champs themselves. Boxing runs in their blood. The whole family’s been running a boxing gym for generations.”

Emmett looked up at me, his brow furrowed with worry. “Dad, what if you can’t beat him?”

I ruffled his hair, giving him a reassuring grin. “If I thought I couldn’t, I wouldn’t even bother, kiddo. Don’t worry. On my way to drop you off at school, I already got the lowdown on Punikon’s family. Your old man’s not losing this one.”

Punikon’s granddad was a real legend—had a reputation that reached far beyond our borders.

But as for Punikon’s dad? Not so much. The word is, the year he took the championship, it was all rigged behind the scenes.

I was sure of it—if it came down to me and him, I wouldn’t lose.

Plus, I had my suspicions. Back in the day, Bernard went solo and swept through gyms across seven countries. Everyone said his next stop was Thyania.

But then, something happened. His wife and apprentice got into trouble, and Bernard had to go off the grid—faked his own death, disappeared without ever making it to Thyania.

Something about all that just didn’t add up.

When Bernard was supposed to be heading their way, all the big gyms in Thyania were panicked. Not a single fighter had the guts to step up.

Then, out of nowhere, they started getting cocky. Suddenly, they were making all this noise, telling the world Bernard was going to meet his end in Thyania. They boasted about their homegrown fighting style, swore up and down they could take Bernard down.

“If he dares show up, he won’t be leaving,” they said.

After Bernard’s “death,” the Thyanian boxing scene only got bolder. Even now, they’re still bragging that Bernard got scared off because he knew he couldn’t beat them.

It all seemed a little too convenient. If you ask me, they only started running their mouths when they knew Bernard wasn’t coming.

If that’s the case, the Thyanian boxing world must know what really happened back then.

Whether they were behind the trouble with Bernard’s wife and apprentice or not, they’ve got to know something.

Evan drooped. “She’d never let us. She thinks it’s too dangerous and chaotic.”

I thought for a second. “I’ll be in and out before you know it. Nothing worth watching. But after we’ve said our goodbyes to your grandma, maybe I’ll take you on a tour of the weapons lab.”

Evan’s eyes lit up. “Are you serious?!”

“Absolutely.”

The boys chatted for a bit, clearly reassured. Then they raced downstairs to write notes for Elizabeth and fold paper cranes.

But Elliot didn’t go downstairs.

He called me into his room, looking dead serious.

“Dad, I think I’ve figured out a way to find the mysterious guy!”